Rose woke up the next morning to the sound of Janie knocking on her bedroom door. She frowned, rubbing the sleep out of her eye.

"Jack, Rose! It's time to go!" Her sister in law called through the door.

"Go where?" Jack groaned, waking up as well. That was when the last 24 hours came back to him, plus the plans for the day, making him to wake up fully. "We have to go…," He slid out of bed and went to his bureau to pull out a blue shirt and his normal tan pants.

"Where?" Rose sighed, laying back down, feeling a little nauseated. She didn't know why. She hadn't eaten anything yet.

"We have to go to Mrs. Lena's! Jake!" Janie called, making Rose's eyes pop open this time as she remembered.

"Oh! We have to see Jake and talk to Mrs. Lena," Rose gasped. Pushing through the urge to throw up, she got up and went to the closet and pulled out a light blue dress. She also looked in the mirror and pulled her hair up into a bun. Suddenly she wished that she had a hat to go with the suit. For the first time she wanted to wear one. She wanted to look grown up and responsible. Without the hat, she looked like a young girl who had no sense of responsibility. Not the grown up woman/wife that she was.

Jack now dressed, smiled at her. "You look nice…as always."

Rose blushed. "You're nice. But I look like a child. How will she take us seriously when we look like kids wanting to play house?"

Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Hey, she knows perfectly well that we're not just two kids wanting to play house. She knows that we're a married couple and that Jake is my son and I have a right to raise him. No matter how young we may be."

"Let's just hope that the Bakers stay out of this. I'm really in no mood to confront my mother so we can get those lawyers," Rose chuckled.

"Don't worry," Jack kissed her nose and pulled her to the door. "Let's go get our son…"

Our son. Rose couldn't help liking the sound of that. She took Jack's hand and allowed him to lead her out of their room into the hall where Janie is impatiently waiting.

"You missed breakfast," she bluntly stated. "Mother left some eggs and bacon out for you if you're interested."

Rose frowned as she felt her stomach heave once again. "Um…I don't think…excuse me," she let go of Jack's hand and ran into the restroom where she threw up last night's dinner into the toilet. Panting, she rested her head against the cool metal of the toilet, grateful that she had pinned her hair up.

"Rosie?" Jack stuck his head into the restroom, a frown on his face. "Sweetie, what is it?"

"I just felt a bit sick there for a second. I'm okay now," Rose got to her feet, frowning when she realized that she was indeed alright. The nausea seemed to have lifted completely. Maybe it was just some bad food or something.

Frowning with concern, Jack felt her forehead and was relieved to find her head sweaty but cool to the touch. There was no sign of a fever. But still, he did not like it that she had to throw up. "Are you sure? We have time if you want to lay down or sit down and rest a little bit longer."

"I'm fine, but aren't you hungry?"

"No. Not really. I guess we can stop somewhere once we get my son,"Jack chuckled, rubbing his nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss.

"Come on! I want to get my nephew!" Janie pulled on Jack's shirt sleeve, a little impatient.

Jack laughed and motioned towards the door. "Ladies first."

When they reached the children's home, Jack sent Janie to work with the other kids. He wanted some time with it being just him, Jake, and Rose first. He wanted the child to get used to him, just like he was used to Rose. He couldn't help but be nervous. This wasn't just some child in an orphanage. This was his son.

"Hello Jake," Rose greeted, holding Jack's hand tight in hers. It was agreed that Rose would be the one introducing Jack into the boy's circle. After all, she was the one Jake trusted most of all. Having her be part of telling him the truth would make things a lot easier.

"Rose!" The boy got up and hugged her. "You came back!"

Rose laughed. "Of course I did. When ever have I not come back? Hmm? And I brought someone with me. You remember Jack, don't you?"

Jake looked at Jack with big innocent blue eyes that threatened to make him melt into a puddle. Already he was wrapped around the child's finger. "Hello there. Do you remember me? I drew a picture?"

The boy nodded, suddenly shy. Jack was still more of a stranger to him. He again cursed Cecily.

"Would you like Jack to draw another one? How about one of you and me?" Rose asked, coming up with an idea to solidify them as a family unit somehow.

Jake nodded happily.

"Okay then," Jack grinned, taking a seat and taking out his portfolio and art supplies. "You and Rose sit right there and smile for me and I'll capture you both on paper."

Rose smiled as she lifted Jake onto her lap and then smiled at Jack, who was already sketching. Watching him work, the concentration on his face, it reminded her of the time when he drew her on Titanic. She couldn't help but blush at the memory.

"Are you blushing Mrs. Dawson?" Jack teased.

"Yes. Only because I remembered the first time you drew me, Mr. Dawson, if I may remind you. I do believe that it was you who was blushing that time around. Unlike Monet."

Jack looked at her, his cheeks blushing at the memory. "And as I told you then, Mrs. Dawson, he drew landscapes."

Jack went back to concentrating on the work at hand, his hands effortlessly moving the charcoal to form the image of Rose and Jake, sitting together, smiling at him as if there was not a care in the world. When he was finished, he sighed his initials like usual and turned the picture to show it to his subjects.

"All finished. What do you think?"

Jake jumped off of Rose's lap and ran up to Jack. "It's me and Rose! Look Rose!"

Rose smiled at the little boy's squeals of excitement and went over for a closer look. "Jack, that is…I'm once again speechless."

Jack again blushed at the compliment then turned back to Jack, tearing the picture out of the portfolio and handing it to him. "It's yours."

Jake gasped in surprise, accepting the picture. He looked up at Rose, as if asking her if it was okay if he could keep it. "Can I keep it, Rose?"

"Of course you can, sweetie. He made it just for you."

"Jack, Mrs. Lena wants to speak with you," Janie came up, interrupting the visit.

Jack frowned and nodded his head, getting to his feet. "Alright. Sure."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Rose asked.

"It might be a good idea. Mabel Baker was in the office with her," Janie cautioned.

Jack frowned, not liking the sound of this. What did that old bat have up her sleeve now?

Rose and Jack said goodbye to Jake and followed Janie to Mrs. Lena's office. She closed the door behind them after stepping into the office herself.

"Mr. Dawson," Mabel looked at Jack with distaste.

"What do you want now?" Jack asked, having no more patience. When it came to high society people, he was at his wits end. Caledon Hockley, Ruth Dewitt Bukater, and now Mabel Baker…again!

"Mr. Dawson, Mabel Baker has come to me with a request. She wants to take Jake and raise him after all," Mrs. Lena cleared her throat, feeling rather nervous. If it was anyone else, but the orphanages benefactress, she wouldn't allow this, but since it was, she felt that there was no choice. "And since she funds our home here, well we have come to the conclusion that it's in the best interest of the child to grant her wish."

"What? Are you serious? Jake has been here for four years, without any attention from Mrs. Baker and now all of a sudden she wants to play grandma?" Janie glared, not understanding this at all. "You have got to be kidding! She's only doing this because Jack wants him!"

"I want him because he's a Baker and should be raised as such," Mabel sniffed derisively.

"You had four years to raise that boy. Like Janie said, you didn't show any interest until now," Rose glared at the woman, standing in front of the door as if doing so could prevent this cruel woman from taking Jack's son.

"I can't believe this. You hate me so much, you'd do anything to deny me the rights to my son," Jack glared as well.

"This has nothing to do with you Mr. Dawson."

"Bullshit it doesn't!" Jack yelled angrily.

"Mr. Dawson, language! Really," Mrs. Lena gasped.

"Well how do you expect my brother to react? No disrespect Mrs. Lena, but he just finds out yesterday that he is the father of a little boy that has been neglected by the Baker's for four years, and when he finds out and wants to take him home to his family the Dawsons, suddenly Mabel Baker wants to claim him as her grandson? And you are going to allow this?" Janie shook her head, unable to believe any of it. "There has to be rules against this."

Rose's spoke up then, her voice grim. "The Baker's have the money. They make the rules…"

"Smart girl," Mabel snorted.

"I grew up in that world, I know how it works," Rose glared at the woman that insisted on making her husband's life miserable. "And you obviously didn't take my threat seriously yesterday."

"I thought about your threat Mrs. Dawson and the fact is that you may have grown up in high society, but you have obviously left it behind for something as mundane as love. You can do nothing to me and my family. We have nothing to fear from you. Now if you excuse me, I have to go retrieve my grandson," Mabel Baker's smile was sickeningly sweet, making Rose feel sick and light headed once again. The room was way too hot.

"No! You can't take Jake! You evil…," all words left Rose as the room began to spin and she felt her legs give out from under her.

"Rose," Jack raced forward, catching his wife before she hit the floor in a dead faint.

"Oh my god," Janie gasped. She glare at the director of the children's home. "Call the doctor! You owe us that much anyway!"

Rose woke up feeling groggy and disoriented. She closed her eyes and laid back down, getting her bearings. She opened her eyes again and looked around, surprised to find herself in a hospital room. She scanned the room for Jack, just to see Janie at the door, looking worried.

"What happened?" Rose moaned, raising a hand to her swimming head. "Where's Jack…Jack…I need to see him…"

"Shhh," Janie rushed to her side. "No need to panic. Jack is outside talking to the doctor. You gave us quite a scare, Rose. You fainted and wouldn't wake up. You've been out for a good hour now."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I was so lightheaded and nauseated and I wanted to stop her from taking Jake."

"Obviously that was a bust. She strode right past you and took him. She of course used your fainting spell to leave without obstruction."

"Oh god, I'm sorry. Jack, he must hate me…"

Jackie shook her head. "Don't be silly. Of course he doesn't. He loves you and he's worried sick about you. He could never hate you."

Finally Jack and the doctor came in. Jack's face was unreadable, but the doctor's smile was kind. "I see that our patient has woken up and right on time. I have your diagnosis."

"What's wrong with her doctor?" Janie asked, also worried about her sister in law.

"Why nothing is wrong with her. Nothing that rest, eating healthy, and eight months of taking it easy won't cure," the doctor chuckled.

"Huh?" Rose frowned, not getting it at all. What was the doctor talking about?

"You're with child, Mrs. Dawson. That is what's wrong with you. One month along now. I'm sitting up some appointments now that you must keep and I'm prescribing some prenatal vitamins. I am also prescribing some meds for morning sickness. You are going to be just fine."

Rose was stunned. Pregnant. She was pregnant. Yes, she had wanted to carry Jack's child inside her for so long and now that it was happening, she was just speechless. If only this news came under better circumstances. She looked at Jack, wishing that she could tell what he was thinking. She wanted so badly to be happy about this news, but after what had happened with Jake…she just couldn't expect Jack to be happy about anything.

"Well that's a spot of good news, right?" Janie tried to smile, wanting to lighten the mood and at least give this day some kind of silver lining.

"Of course it is," Jack went to Rose, taking her hand in his, trying his best to smile happily for her. "We're going to have a baby." one that the Baker's can't take away.

"Can we take her home now doc?" Janie asked.

"Sure. Just let me get the paper work and the meds and you can be on your way," the doctor nodded, leaving the room, leaving Janie alone with a silent Jack and Rose.

She sighed. "Look, I know that things didn't go the way that we expected them to today, but there is a bright side. There is a baby Dawson in the works and despite losing Jake, let's make this new baby feel welcomed. Let's be happy for once. I for one am sick of moping because of the Bakers."

"You're right. We should celebrate," Jack nodded, again trying to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Let me go see what's taking that doctor so long."

"Jack," Rose began, but he just gave her hand a squeeze before walking out the door. Rose felt the prickle of hot tears in her eyes and looked down at her hands. This was awful. This was not the way she had pictured the news of her pregnancy being taken.

"So, if it's a girl, what are you naming it?" Jackie asked, working herself up into some semblance of excitement.

Rose shrugged. With the way things were going, she didn't want to commit to a name or anything else. She just wanted to give Jake back to Jack. Instead she was giving him a baby that she wasn't even sure that he wanted. She placed a hand on her stomach. It was flat right now. What would it feel like once the baby was bigger? "I think I'm a little bit scared."

"Oh Rose," Janie wrapped her arms around the red head. "It's going to be alright. You'll see."

"He hates it…"

"No he doesn't. He's just sad about Jake right now."

She buried her face against Janie's shoulder, hoping that she was right. She couldn't bear it if Jack didn't want this baby.

When they returned home, the house was in chaos. Irene was running up and down the stairs yelling orders, Jack's father was helping Richie carry a pail of what looked to be hot water upstairs, and a painful scream was heard from Richie and Jolene's room.

"What's going on here?" Janie asked, her own eyes wide and scared by all the screams.

"Irene stopped when she noticed the threesome. "Oh thank goodness, Jack you're back! Go fetch Doctor Rattison. Jolene's water broke and we need him here a soon as possible!"

"Funny, we just came from there," Janie stated, watching her brother nod and let go of Rose's hand to go fetch the doctor.

"Janie, get in there with Jolene. Try to keep her calm. Rose dear, maybe you can boil some more water. I'll go gather some sheets and towels. This is an exciting moment girls! A new baby is about to enter the world!" Irene grinned, unaware of Rose and Jack's bittersweet news.

Rose paled as another scream came from Jolene's room. She had known that giving birth was painful, but Jolene sounded like someone was trying to kill her. "Oh my lord…"

"Go boil some water Rose! It'll distract you until Jack gets back," Janie reassured her, knowing what she must be thinking.

Rose just nodded and disappeared into the kitchen, where she refilled a pot and set it back on the stove to boil. She then sat down at the table and winced at every scream of pain from Jolene. So, that was childbirth. Eight month from now, those screams will be hers as she brings Jack's child into the world and Rose didn't even know if Jack wanted it or not. Hot tears fell from her eyes and she pressed her face into her hands feeling stressed, frightened, and alone. For the first time since the sinking, she wanted her mother.

It didn't take long for Jack to return with the doctor, who raced up the stairs, along with the town's midwife. Spotting Jack, Janie told him about Rose's reaction to Jolene's screams.

"She has to be frightened right now," Janie hissed to her brother.

Worried, he went looking for Rose, to find her sitting at the kitchen table. Her face had lost all color, except for the red around her eyes, a sign that she's been crying. Whether that was because of Jake or her own fear, he didn't know.

"Rose," He stood in the doorway, holding his arms out for her. "Come to me, Rose."

She did as he asked, getting up on trembling legs and walking into his arms that wrapped protectively around her. "I know it sounds awful up there, but it's going to okay. Soon there will be a perfect little baby and all of it will be forgotten. It'll be the same for you Rosie. I'm going to be by your side through it all until our child is in your arms. I promise."

"They won't let you stay, Jack. They threw Richie out and they'll do the same when we have our baby."

"No they won't. I won't let them. I'm not going to let you give birth alone, Rose," Jack promised, holding her tight. He frowned as his stomach rumbled, protesting the lack of food. "Fuck, we haven't eaten all day and in your case that's bad."

"It is?" Rose frowned.

"Of course! You're eating for two now!" Jack grinned, a real genuine grin, the first one he had since that morning when Mabel Baker took Jake away. "I am going to make you something…something hot…gooey, and delicious. I know, mac and cheese. Would you like that?"

"Of course…but do you know how to make it?"

Jack gasped, scandalized. "Do I know how to make it? Of course! It's one of the first dishes that I learned to make out during my travels. For a while, it was all that Fabri and I lived on!"

Rose couldn't help but giggle at Jack's indignant expression. She placed her head on his shoulder, not yet ready for him to let her go. "Is there anyway for you to make it and still keep me in your arms like this?"

Jack sighed, gently stroking her hair. His voice was also just a gentle and full of love. "Unfortunately, no,but I promise it won't take long and you'll be here once again if you want."

Rose closed her eyes and breathed him in, her fear about having the baby abating. "Okay."

Jack kissed the top of her head before releasing her to rummage through the icebox for all he would need. "Here we go. Cheese, milk, and butter…"

"Here's some macaroni," Rose took the container of pasta out of the cupboard.

"Good girl," Jack winked.

Rose watched him cook, realizing that he had lifted himself out of his depression over Jake just to comfort her. He was such an amazing man, much more than she deserved. She had to do something to get Jake back. The Bakers could not be allowed to do this. She didn't care how much money they had. She could always sell the heart of the ocean, but who in this town besides the Bakers could afford to buy it? She'd be damned if she let Mabel or Cecily Baker get their hands on it. She rather give it back to Cal in that case. There was the money Cal had stuffed in his coat pocket. There was plenty of it left, but would it be enough to get a good lawyer? Good enough to take on the Bakers,like her father's lawyers back in Philadelphia? No, certainly not. That money was not infinite. It'll run out sooner or later and then where would they be? Damn it, there had to be something…some way to fight the Bakers and get Jake back!

Ten minutes later, the food was done. Jack poured the pasta into a huge bowl and held out his hand for Rose. "Come on sweetie. We're going outside where it's nice and quiet."

He was comforting her again, taking her somewhere so she won't have to hear Jolene's painful screams. She took his hand and let him lead her outside into the yard. He handed her the bowl of food and grabbed the blanket from the night before and spread it out onto the soft grass and sat down. He patted the space between his legs, where there was enough room for her to sit.

She went to him and let her pull her down and back against his body. So solid, warm, and safe. "Is this better?"

Even though she could still hear Jolene's screams, now faint and not as disturbing, she nodded. This was much better. She accepted the fork Jack gave her and began to eat the delicious cheesy pasta he had prepared. She closed her eyes. This was the best mac and cheese she had ever tasted.

"That settles it. When we get our own house, you will be the cook," Rose chewed, her mouth full of delicious cheese and macaroni.

"What will our baby think? To see his or her father at the stove instead of mommy?" Jack chuckles.

"That he's a manly man of all men who can do everything. He or she will worship the ground you walk on, just like I did my father," Rose smiled.

"You think so?"

"Of course. If it's a boy, he will strive to be like his daddy and grow up to make some girl a fine husband," Rose sighed, closing her eyes as she rested against him. "And if it's a girl, she'll know what to look for in a husband. She won't end up with some one like Cal."

Jack's smile was sad. Rose obviously thought highly of him. She thought him to be a wonderful husband and father. He could only wish it was true. If he had been so wonderful, he would have been able to bring Jake home. He sighed, banishing the thought. He had managed to push aside the dark gloominess that had taken him over earlier so he could be here for Rose, knowing that Jolene's pains were frightening her, but the clouds were still there, ready to cloud his mind at a moment's notice.

Rose must have caught on to the reason for the sudden silence. She placed a hand over his and her voice was gentle and determined. "We will get him back Jack. The Bakers aren't going to win this time."

"They always win Rose," Jack sighed, unable to look on the bright side this time. He's been up against the Bakers one too many times and each time he had painfully lost.

"Well the other times, they've never been up against a Dewitt Bukater. My family is far from perfect, but we always win, one way or another. Mabel Baker has picked the wrong fight this time."

"What if it means having to get in touch with your mother? That could bring a confrontation between not only her, but Hockley as well…"

"As long as I have you, I can probably handle both of them. It was you that gave me the strength to leave it all behind on Titanic, Jack. You gave me the strength and the wings to fly away from it all. Without you, I'd still be trapped in that life…or worse."

"Oh Rose, you always had that strength though. You just didn't realize it."

"I would never have realized it until you pointed it out, though. You told me that I could fly away and I did. No one else was even willing to do that for me, but you. Okay, maybe Molly would have offered her help, but I would have been too cowed by my mother to take it."

"What made me different?" Jack chuckled.

"Well all little girls dream of being rescued by a handsome stranger and I was no fool. I knew my handsome stranger when I saw him. No way I was going to let you get away," Rose giggled, just to receive a tickle from Jack.

"Well you were one damsal I didn't mind rescuing," Jack grinned, just as a baby's cry rang out from the house.

Rose gasped, sitting down the bowl. "Did you hear that?"

"The stark has finally arrived," Jack chuckled.

"Come on Jack!" Rose got up and ran into the house and up the stairs, followed by Jack. They reached Richie and Jolene's room to watch the midwife give a blue bundle to Richie.

"Your son," the woman warmly smiled.

"Well I'll be damned," Albert Dawson grinned with pride, looking upon the squirming child. "Ain't he a handsome one."

Rose watched with tears in her eyes. She had indeed been frightened by Jolene's screams of pain, but standing here watching two new parents look upon their new son with love and wonder in their eyes and the reactions of the rest of the family, it made all her fears go away. She felt two arms wrap around her waist and caress her own belly where her own baby grew.

"It's a miracle, isn't it?" Jack whispered in her ear.

"Yes, it truly is. We saw so much death last month, to see this new life…despite it all…it fills me with hope, Jack."

"Me too," Jack nodded. "I just wish I got to hold Jake like that when he was born."

"Oh Jack…"

"Shh, Rose. It's ok. Don't feel bad. Let's be happy for them and for ourselves. Eight months from now, we'll be holding our own little bundle and no one will ever take him or her away from us."

"And we'll find a way to bring Jake home. I know we will," Rose smiled, looking back to meet Jack's eyes. "Fate wouldn't have introduced him to us just to take him away again. We'll get him back."

Jack just nodded, hoping that Rose was right.

"Jack! Come meet Jason Dawson!" Richie beckoned them over, his eyes shining with happiness.

It was after midnight. Jack was sound asleep, but Rose was still wide awake. Her mind just wouldn't stop going over the events of the day and the aftermath. After leaving Richie and Jolene to enjoy their new son, Janie had broke the bad news about Jake to Irene and Albert. Needless to say they were outraged and wondered if there was anything that they could do to help bring their first grandson home. The consensus was that the Bakers was just too rich and powerful to fight. There was no money for lawyers and most likely any lawyer from Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire would refuse to take the case.

Their hands were tied.

But Rose just couldn't accept that. The Bakers had no interest in Jake for the last four years. Jake had been a lonely withdrawn little boy starved for love and attention, kept from his father's family who would have given him that love and attention and now that Jack was back and knew about and wanted Jake, he was still being kept from them. This couldn't be allowed to happen! It wasn't right! Maybe it was because she was a spoiled brat and wasn't used to people not giving in to her, but he couldn't just let it go and she knew by the look on his face, neither could Jack. They needed to get Jake away from the Bakers, but how?

She sighed and pulled out of Jack's embrace to stand up from bed and walked over to the small dresser where Cal's coat hung off of a chair and the money and necklace were hidden in one of the drawers. She sighed and picked up Cal's coat, examining it. She really should hang it up in the closet. No need to keep it out. She went to do just that when a square piece of paper fell out. She frowned and picked it up and gasped.

Molly Brown's number and address. She still remembered Molly's words when she had written it down for her on that rainy April night.

"…You may just need the help. It never hurts to have at least one friend in first class."

Molly! Of course, why hadn't she thought of that before? There was no need to risk exposure to her mother or Cal! Molly would help!

Silently, Rose left the room and went down to the foyer, where there was a desk with stationary and envelopes. She was going to send a telegraph to Molly, inviting her to Chippewa Falls to look in on Jack, who Rose knew the woman had a soft spot for. On Titanic, the woman had been Jack's fairy godmother. Surely, once she found out Jack's troubles here, she'll want to give her assistance as well. Molly was a good woman who despised bullies like her mother and Mabel Baker. She was a formidable foe. She'll give Mabel Baker a real fight for Jake. With Molly on their side, Mabel Baker will find that it won't be so easy picking on the Dawsons this time. This time they had fire power of their own.