Jack had only found twenty five cents on the road that day and couldn't wait any longer to see his Rose. He practically ran home and slammed the door behind him. "Rose!" he called. "In here, handsome" she called teasingly. Jack gasped when he walked into the bed room. There stood Rose posed and completely naked and a new portfolio and set of art utensils lay on the bed. She gestured to the drawing set and said, "Mr. Dawson, I want you to draw me like one of your French girls".

"Alright, ma'am what will you be wearing," Jack smiled.

Rose smiled back. "Why, Mr. Dawson, you're looking at it already," she laughed.

"Rosebud, how did you come up with the money to buy this new drawing set?" Jack asked as he ran his finger to smooth out the curve of her lower belly. Rose frowned. "Please don't be mad, Jack. I diped into the money we found in the coat pocket. You just seemed so sad with nothing to draw".

Jack smiled. "I'm done, wanna see?" he asked. Rose walked over and before she could even look at the drawing, Jack pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her passionately. "I've wanted to do that all after noon," he said finally. "Kiss a naked woman?" Rose asked playfully. Jack laughed and twirled her around. "Rosebud, you make my day every day!" he shouted. Rose let out a load laugh. Jack pulled her into their bed room. She hugged him. "I missed you today," she sighed. He gave her a sweet smile and kissed her head. "I missed you two Rose," he stroked a red strand of hair from her face. "Does it always have to be like this?" she asked. "Pretty much," he sighed and lay down next to her on the bed. She laid her arm across his stomach and rested her head on her favorite pillow. "I don't want you to leave me," she sighed worried. "What if Cal comes back?" Jack planted peppered kisses on her forehead. "Rose," he said planting another kiss on her lips, "He can't find us; he's in a totally different state; and even if he did find you I would come and rescue you again. Hell I don't even care if he has a fire breathing dragon guarding you". Rose laughed. "Saving you is like a dream come true. It's almost like I'm a knight in shining armor," he said smiling. Rose touched on his cheek and smiled. "You'll always be my knight in shining armor, Jack," She said and kissed him. "I love you," Said Jack and kissed her and he began to remove his trousers.

When Rose woke up, she felt around for Jack, but he wasn't there. "Jack?" She called, but received no answer. Her finger encountered something flat and paper like. She turned on the light and read the note.

To My Rosebud,

She smiled at this.

Thank you so much for the portfolio and pencils. I'm in the city using them no. Don't worry about anything. I'll be back before you know it. Love you.

~Jack-in-the-box

Rose started laughing when she read his signature. It was one of the things she wouldn't have expected.

Jack meanwhile was out in the park drawing a portrait of some children playing on the swing set. "You are very good at drawing, sir," said a small voice behind him. He turned around and there was a little girl standing there curious. She had long dark brown hair and she had copper skin. She was dressed in ragged clothing so she was obviously third class. "Why thank you, little girl," said Jack. "I have some crayons. Do you want to help me color the picture?" The little girl smiled and jumped for joy. Jack laughed at her excitement. He hoped his child would have as much excitement as this little girl.

"My name is Bessie," said the little girl as she colored the slide and light grey. "It's nice to meet you, Bessie," Jack said shaking her hand. "You can call me Mr. Dawson". Bessie strangely started coloring a certain little boy's hair pink. Jack smiled at her creativity. "That's my little brother, Howard," Bessie giggled. "I always thought he would look silly if he had pink hair." Jack laughed along with her. Soon after, Howard walked over and started coloring with them. When he saw his pink hair he playfully wrestled with his sister until Jack noticed it was getting late.

"Where are your parents?" Jack asked the children concerned. The children stopped dead. "We don't know, sir," replied Howard. "Okay," Jack said "I'll just stay here until they come to get you." Jack lay against the tree. The children looked at each other guiltily. "I don't think you'd want to do that," said Bessie. "What do you mean?" Jack asked leaning away from the tree. "The truth is," Bessie began. "We got separated from out parents. We have no idea where they are." The children began to cry. Jack began to take pity on the poor children. "How long has it been since you last saw your parents?" asked Jack a little worried. "We lost track," replied Howard. "At least six months." Bessie said. "Why don't I take you home? I have a spare room that is ment to be for my child when their born, but you can use it if you'd like. My wife loves children and she'd be delighted to share our home with you," Jack said.

"Rosebud!" Jack called into the apartment. "Wait here," he whispered to the children. He wanted to make sure she wasn't planning a surprise for him like yesterday.

"Jack, darling, is that you!" She called from the kitchen. Jack walked over to her and embraced her. "How was your day?" he asked. "It was fine. I had a few cramps from the baby, but other than that it was good, by the way your home late. What took you so long?" she asked wraping her arms around him. "I want you to meet some people," Jack said. "Jack w—" "Stay right there," he said before quickly kissing the tip of her nose and then vanishing. Rose waited and in a matter of seconds Jack came in with the two most darling children she had ever seen. Jack told her about his day and how he met the children and asked: "Do you think we could keep them until we get in touch with their parents?"

"The baby's not due for a few months, so I don't see why not?" she said. "Come here little ones. I'll show you where you'll sleep."

"You meant we get our very own room?" asked Howard. "Why of course! We wouldn't make you sleep in the living room. The children jumped for joy.