8
One Year Later….
The war was over. Life had sauntered down into a routine for Jack and Rose. Jack had a job at the local mill, while Rose helped Emma Jean and Myrtle with the housework. Emma Jean was even encouraging Rose to take up nursing. Rose was thinking about it, but right now she was happy just taking care of her new family.
That day, Jack was off and in the kitchen wanting to help his wife with dinner. Rose had been feeling under the weather and Jack wanted her to take it easy until he got her to the doctor.
"Jack!" Rose laughed in exasperation as he took a pot of water from her. "What are you doing?"
"It looked heavy," he shrugged, setting the pot on the stove, blushing terribly. The pot wasn’t heavy at all.
"You have to stop doing this Jack. I’m fully capable of cooking dinner tonight," Rose sighed. Yes capable, as long as she forgot about her nausea and the fainting spell she had last night and that morning. She was just thankful that Jack wasn’t around to witness either event. He’d have her tied to her bed
"I just want to take care of you sweetie. You can’t be angry at me for that," Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Slowly, he kissed her, moving from her lips to her neck.
"Jack," Rose struggled to keep her focus. Early morning love making in the kitchen was inappropriate. She’d die f any one came in. "Come on, I have to make breakfast. Besides, we can’t. Not in here and not now."
Jack groaned, pulling away. She had no idea what she did to him. Especially when he stared into her eyes. Sometimes his attraction to her scared him, but honestly he wouldn’t have it any other way. "I adore you Rose. More and more each day."
Before Rose could answer, a sharp knock pounded on the door, ruining the moment. Both Jack and Rose frowned. It was way too early for visitors.
"I wonder who that can be," Emma Jean came into the room, along with the grandparents.
Jack shrugged as he approached the door. He had no idea who it was or what they wanted. His eyes widen in shock as he opened the door to the last person he had ever expected to see again.
"Jack," Greta Dawson, now Straussel stared up at her son.
Jack would have slammed the door in her face if he wasn’t so shocked to see her. What was she doing here? What did she want?
"Jack? Who is…it," Myrtle stopped in her tracks when she saw who was at the door. She had never sat eyes on her son’s wife before, but she knew that it was her. Jack had her face. "Lucas’s wife I presume."
"I know we haven’t met…," Greta stammered, not taking her eyes off her son. He was so handsome and tall. He was a sight for her sore eyes.
""Jack’s told us all bout you," Henry glared at the newcomer. "How you allowed that Nazi to beat on him. If it hadn’t been for young Rose, there….I don’t even want to think of what could have happened."
"What do you want?" Rose took her place at Jack’s side, her green eyes spitting fire. Greta Dawson was the last person she had ever expected to see from Germany. She had hurt Jack terribly.
"I came to see my son. I want…I want to make things right between us again."
"I don’t think so," Myrtle shook her head. She didn’t want the woman near her grandson. She was sure Lucas would agree with her if he had been there. "You betrayed both my grandson and my son’s memory by siding with that evil man the way you did."
Greta sighed, feeling tired and depressed. The ending of the war had been tough on her. She had lost everything. Her job, her home and her husband, who had been arrested for crimes against humanity. Everything she had thought was so important was now gone. All she had left was the son that had fled to America, probably fearing for his life. The son that hadn’t spoken to her in such a long time, she had almost forgotten the sound of his voice. A son that had every reason to hate her, but she hoped he didn’t.
"I know that I’ve messed up. I know that I’ve hurt you Jack…but…you have to understand. I was lonely. I loved my son, but I needed a man in my life. A man who could take care of us both. That was a good role model. I thought Hansel was both of those things."
"Well…you might as well come in," Myrtle beckoned, tired of standing but wanting to hear what Greta had to say for herself. She couldn’t help it. She was curious. "It’s chilly out there this morning."
"Thank you," Greta smiled, entering the kitchen, setting her bags in front of her as she took a seat at the kitchen table. So far, this was going well. Jack hadn’t told her to leave…yet.
Jack looked at Rose, apprehensive about his mother showing up like this. She wanted his forgiveness, but he wasn’t sure that he was ready to give it. Because of her need for a man in her life, Jack’s life was a living hell. He had feared the one place where he should have been safe. The one place had called home. She had stood by while her lover beat him into a bloody pulp, ignoring his calls for her to help him. And when Rose had come to save him, she had refused to let her and the when Rose forced Hansel to leave him alone, her concern wasn’t for his son, but his tormenter…her lover. How could he ever forgive that?
"I don’t know what to tell you. You stood by and letted him beat me. You didn’t even ask him to stop. Then when Rose arrived…your concern was for him. Not me. For goodness sake, I was your son, your own flesh and blood, but it was his well being you cared about! Not mine!"
Tears spring from Greta’s eyes. She knew she had messed up and perhaps her son could never love her again, but she had to at least try.
"Jack please…I know there’s no excuse for my actions. That I’ve you very badly. But I beg for your forgiveness anyway. You’re all I have in the world and I do love you. Please Jack…I am your mother, after all."
"Jack," Rose’s hand lightly brushed his arm. "I…I think she’s sincere. She does seem truly sorry."
"I agree," Emma nodded.
"I believe Lucas would have wanted you to forgive her," Myrtle sighed. Of course her own opinion was quite different. If it was up to her, Greta would never know the love of her son again. But she knew Lucas would disapprove if she told Jack not to give the woman another chance.
"Rose?" Jack looked at his wife, valuing her opinion before anyone else. "What do you think?"
Rose frowned. Somehow she knew that this was her call. If she told Jack not to forgive his mother, he wouldn’t. But how could she tell him not to when she would do anything to see her own mother again. Despite it all. "…She seems sincere. I think you should put her on probation. Forgive her…but make her earn back your trust."
Greta glanced hopefully at the young couple, hoping that Jack would listen to his wife. That he’d forgive her everything, even if she had to earn back his trust.
Jack nodded. It was a good idea. "Do you have a place to stay?" He turned to Greta, his answer in his voice.
"No," Greta shook her head, cursing herself for once again not thinking ahead.
"Well…you can stay in the guestroom," Myrtle poured a cup of coffee, her voice void of emotion. She didn’t like this, but it was Jack’s decision and that was what mattered. She’ll just be here for her Grandson. Just in case he needed her.
"Thank you," Greta tied to smile, knowing that she didn’t deserve the kindness from any one in the room. "Jack…I promise to…"
"Don’t, ok. I may forgive you, but I don’t trust you. You’re going to have to earn that back."
Greta nodded, thankful that at least she was forgiven. She looked at the young woman responsible for her son’s happiness and was grateful that he had found someone so full of love and kindness.
"I’ll show you to your room," Myrtle beckoned, already leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Rose placed a concerned hand on Jack’s shoulder. Was he truly all right? He was so hurt by his mother’s betrayal…maybe she shouldn’t have encouraged him to forgive his mother. "Are you ok?"
"I’m fine. I…I just…I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust her again."
"Jack," She pulled him deeper into her embrace, wishing that she could take all his pain away. "It’ll be alright."
"With you by my side, I know it will be," Jack sighed, pulling away from her, thankful for her love and support. He knew for sure that Rose was all he’d ever need. Even if his mother betrayed his trust once again, he’ll be ok. Why? Because he had Rose. She was his life preserver and he was hers. Comfortable in this knowledge, Jack didn’t worry about forgiving his mother. Everything was going to be ok.