Hi everybody! Thank you very much for your wonderful support. I'm so happy that you like my story so far. That's my seventh chapter and there's only one chapter left. Hope you'll enjoy it. Bye!
Chapter 7
Jack was sitting down in the hatch. Although it wasn't his turn, he had volunteered for the 'button shift'. Right now, all the castaways were attending the funeral ceremony at the beach. Jack couldn't make himself go there and look people in the eyes. He still blamed himself for her death and he knew he'd always do.
He assumed that he needed to think it all through. So much has happened. Besides, he would never leave the only person he loved. He instantly looked at the figure lying in bed peacefully. It's been 2 days since that fateful incident in the cave and Kate hasn't regained consciousness yet. Jack was getting worried. He did everything he could to help her but nothing seemed to work. So he sat there, leaving her side only when it was time to push the button.
He took her hand. It was warm which was a good sign.
"Kate, wake up, please. You can't leave me, I'm nothing without you. I need you. I need your laugh, I need your strength. Without you I won't survive. I love you, Kate. Please, come back to me." Jack whispered. A tear rolled down his face. He was staring at her as if he was in some kind of a trance.
Suddenly, he heard the hatch door opening and then closing noisily. Someone was coming in this direction. Jack didn't move, he was sure that the funeral had finished and somebody came here to check on him and Kate. He was surprised when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hello, Jack."
He turned around rapidly and stared in amazement. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. There, right in front of him was standing Rose.
"Rose? You can't be here. You're…" Jack stammered.
"You mean dead. Yes, Jack I am dead." she stated.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't leave you there. I should have came back for you." he said.
"Don't say that, Jack. It's not your fault. I came here to tell you that you can't blame yourself for what had happened. The minute Bernard died, I knew I had nothing to live for. Now, we're together again," she smiled. "Stop blaming yourself for something you couldn't have influence on. And think about Kate and the baby." She added looking at him sternly.
"I don't know if there is still the baby." he said almost inaudibly.
"Of course, there is." Rose came closer and stood beside Kate gently stroking her head. "Kate is strong and this little one is a real fighter too. Don't worry, Jack. Both your women will be just fine." she grinned.
"So, it means it's a girl?" he asked happily.
"Yes, you're going to have a beautiful baby daughter, Jack."
Jack was smiling broadly.
"Thank you, Rose. I'll never forget how much you helped me."
"You're welcome. I think I'll go now. And don't worry about Kate. She'll wake up soon, I promise." She turned around and made her way towards the exit. "Goodbye, Jack," her voice strangely distant.
"Jack, Jack!" somebody was shaking his arm.
"What? Kate?" he woke up and stood bolt upright.
"No, it's me. Sun."
"Oh. What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be at the funeral?" he asked. He sat down again and rubbed his eyes.
"Yes, I was there but it finished."
"So, did everybody manage to be there?"
"Yes, everyone came." Sun hesitated. "How's Kate? Is she any better?" she asked full of hope.
"Nothing's changed. She hasn't woken up yet," he sighed.
She turned her gaze at him. Apart from few scratches, his skin was of grey colour and she could notice deep shadows under his eyes. It was evident that he must have been deadbeat.
"And how are you feeling?"
"Fine," he answered without giving it much thought.
"You don't look fine. You haven't got a proper sleep or food since 2 days. You should rest and eat something. Go, I'll stay with Kate." Sun offered.
"No!" he shouted. "I mean, no," he lowered his voice. "Thank you, Sun but I'm not leaving her."
Sun realised that nothing would make him change his mind.
"Alright. I'll be in my garden so if you need anything…" she trailed off.
"Yeah, I know. Thank you." he smiled. She returned his smile and left.
Just then the beeping sounded. He got up reluctantly and headed for the room where the computer was. After entering the numbers and pushing the execute button, he immediately came back to his spot beside Kate. He felt tired and sleepy. He sat down holding her hand but soon he bent forward and laid his head on the bed. His eyelids became heavy.
He didn't know how long he was asleep but he was awaken by a strange feeling. Someone was gently caressing his head. For a moment he thought he was dreaming. He opened his eyes.
"Jack," a weak and quiet voice called him.
He raised his head and blinked his eyes sleepily.
Kate was gazing at him intently.
"Hey, did you miss me?" she said giving him an innocent smile.
Jack chuckled. "You know I did," he answered. She smiled wider and squeezed his hand.
"How are you feeling?" he went into his doctor mode.
"Still a little dizzy. I've got a terrible headache but I'll be fine," she assured him. "How long I was out?"
"Two days but don't think about it now. Here, you should drink something." He took a glass of water from the table. He sat beside her on the bed and helped her drink. When she emptied almost the whole glass she glanced at him. Their eyes met. Each time it happened, Jack never ceased to be amazed at the number of emotions he could find in her eyes. There was warmth, passion and most of all unconditional love. He moved closer. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him gently. He melted into it. Their kiss intensified but Jack knew Kate really should rest so he reluctantly broke the kiss and rested his forehead on hers.
"God, I missed it." he spoke in a husky voice.
"Yeah, me either." Kate added.
"Jack, why is it so quiet here? Where is everybody?" she asked him casting a look at the hatch.
Jack's face changed immediately. He dropped his head not able to look her in the eyes. "They're at the funeral," he whispered.
She instantly understood.
"Oh, God. Jack I didn't know, I'm sorry."
"That's okay. It wasn't your fault," he said still not looking at her.
"And it wasn't your fault either."
Hearing this he raised his head. She took his hand. "Listen to me, Jack. Their death wasn't your fault. You tried to help Bernard but he was already gone and Rose didn't want to live without him. There was no time. We barely made it out of there. Jack you saved me." She paused. "I have to tell you something."
"Kate…" he knew what was coming.
"No, let me finish. I was ready to tell you that day in the jungle but we were interrupted." Kate mustered all her courage. "Jack…" she put her other hand on her belly. "I'm pregnant. I'm sorry, I know we never considered such possibility but…"
"Shh…" Jack interrupted. "Kate, I know about the baby."
"How?" Kate was confused. If he knew, why he didn't tell anything?
"I learnt about it while I was stuck with Rose. She thought you told me already. She said she was sorry that she put you and the baby in danger."
Kate felt as if her heart would break.
"So what do you think?" she finally asked with fear.
"Kate, I know you were worried about my reaction. But you shouldn't be. It's true that we're stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere; that the jungle isn't the safest place to raise a child. But I'm happy, so happy… And don't ever be sorry for it because this baby – our baby – is the greatest gift you could ever give me."
When he finished Kate saw everything through a mist of tears.
"Thank you, Jack," she said and hugged him tightly, sobbing on his chest. After a moment her cries ceased.
"Jack, do you think the baby is alright? Can you do anything to check it?" she dreaded that question since she opened her eyes but she knew she had to ask it.
"I wish I had some instruments, like ultrasound. But I can tell you that the baby is okay."
"How do you know it?" Kate asked curious.
"I just know it, just know it…" he said. Memories of Rose came flooding back. Kate yawned.
"Okay, now it's time for you to rest." Jack said and plumed up the pillow, and helped her lay comfortably. He kissed her forehead. Just as he was moving away, Kate grabbed his hand.
"Jack, please don't leave me."
"I'm not leaving you. I'll sit with you." he answered.
"Could you just hold me for a while, please?" Kate asked with hope in her voice.
"Of course," he agreed right away.
Her face lit up. He lied down next to her and took her in his arms. She snuggled closer and he put his hand on her belly. Kate smiled. Her whole body visibly relaxed, she didn't feel so peaceful in a long time.
"Jack, what do you think, would it be a boy or a girl?" she asked him.
"Definitely a girl. Just as beautiful as her mother," he spoke in a deep voice.
"Oh, really? So how...? Wait, you just know it, huh?" she said jokingly. "Yeah, right."
They both laughed.
Now Kate was absolutely sure that no matter what would happen, they were in this together and they will make it work. With that thought she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.
What do you think about it this time? Please, let me know. Last chapter - next week.
