(A/N: Thank you for the replies, favorites, and follows and thank you for reading in general:) I hope that you continue enjoying the story:))
...
Another two days pass in relative quiet. Ruth's talk with Rose had given Rose the motivation to get out of bed and help with some of the chores, even though she still felt like she was drowning in her grief, but at least now she was at least going through the motions. Jack also was going through the motions, staying near Rose in case she should need him and working through his own grief on his own. His breakdown with Molly the other day did lighten his burden some, but the sadness was still there, coloring his days with a sense of tragedy. He had no idea when he'll feel like his normal self again, or if he ever will. Sometimes he wondered if a part of his spirit had died along with the baby. But then he'd look at Rose and sensed a inner peace and realized that it was still there...just hidden away. Someday, it will return. He just didn't know when.
At the moment, he was on the way upstairs to check the progress on the bedrooms. The bedroom for Jake, when they won the case, if they won the case, was finished and furnished. It was a colorful room with a easel, toys appropriate for a four year old and a bed the right wall had a window that looked out onto the back yard. The room was white, left blank like a blank sheet of paper, so that his artistic son could fill it with his own imaginative drawings and dreams. That part had been Rose's idea and it was perfect. Jack couldn't wait for Jake to see it. To know that he had a space all his own, just waiting for him.
Jack smiled at the thought of his son. Jake was what was one of the few things keeping him afloat these days. One of the two people that he was truly living for. The boy may not be with him at the moment, but he still had hope that things would change and he'll have his living child with him to help ease the pain that filled his days now.
Jack was just about to mount the stairs leading up to his son's unoccupied room, when he heard it. The sound of a freshly awoken baby, crying for attention. Something in him, made him leave the stairs and walk to the nursery, where his nephew slept. Or was sleeping. Baby Jason was now awake with no one nearby, except Jack, to look in on him. Jack paused in the doorway, a part of him reluctant to enter, to see such a stark reminder of what he had lost. But he couldn't help himself. His arms ached to hold a little boy. Slowly he entered the room and walked up to the baby bed, where his nephew, was indeed wide awake and crying to be held and cuddled laid, his small arms waving reaching out for someone to take him.
He should call Richie or Jolene, but the baby was distress, in need of comfort and love and Jack was never one to let a child wait, not when he could do something for it. So he reached down and lifted his nephew into his arms and cuddled him close. He gently stroked and kissed the baby's head, relishing the sweet baby smell that all babies seemed to posses.
"Shhh, Uncle Jack is here. Don't cry," he shushed, rocking the child in his arms, noting how perfect he fit. It was as if Jack's arms were meant to hold a child...any child...his own child. What would it have been like to hold Jake at this age. To hold him close and protect him and give him the love that he had missed thanks to Mabel Baker? It was time with his son that he would never ever get back. It broke his heart to think of it. Not to mention the baby he had lost. If it had lived, that baby would be like Jason and fit in his arms so perfectly, where he could have protected it and loved it and made sure it had a nice life. But it wasn't meant to be. The baby was gone, just like the moments he could have had with Jake. Gone and never to be regained.
Looking at his baby nephew, he saw all the lost opportunities that he would never have. It tore at him. He couldn't help the sob that erupted from him as he held the baby close, as if holding Jake would bring back all that he had lost.
That was how Rose found Jack. She was going to their room to retrieve some thread when she heard the sobs from the nursery. Her heart shattered at the sight of Jack holding the cooing Jason, sobbing over the losses that were suffered, all represented in one perfect baby boy. She hesitated. She knew that Jack worked hard to keep his grief away from her, wanting to appear strong. She knew that he did not want her to see him like this. But she also knew that marriage was a game of give and take. She took the comfort that Jack gave and now it was her turn to give back. Not because it was the right thing to do, but because she wanted to because she loved him and when he hurt, so did she.
Not saying a word, she entered the nursery and wrapped her arms around Jack's shoulders, holding him and Jason as he cried. She felt tears of her own spill as she hugged them close, also missing her baby and the time they'll never have. She buried her face against his shoulder, as one hand hugged him and the other stroked his hair, comforting him, letting him know that she was there and that despite her own tears, she was taking her turn to be his rock.
Sniffling, the tears finally ended and Jack kissed her head, thankful for her presence and her comfort.
"I'm so sorry, Jack," Her voice cracked with a mixture of grief and guilt.
"No..not your fault. Don't be sorry. Just, he was crying and no one was here and...he fits so perfectly in my arms and...I missed holding Jake like this and now our baby...it just became too much," He stammered. "I should have just went to find Richie or Jolene..."
"No, that's not you. You would never leave a baby in need waiting..."
"I just never expected it to hurt so much," Jack sniffed, hugging Jason again.
"Are you ok, now?"
Jack just nodded, just as there was a knock at the door downstairs. "I'm fine. All cried out."
Rose smiled, one arm still wrapped around him and Jason as her other hand was still stroking his hair. She sighed as he shifted the baby in his arms so he could kiss her better. She closed her eyes, ready to deepen it when Jolene came in.
"Rose? Jack?"
The couple parted, with Rose giving a small smile and wiping away her own tears as Jack cuddled Jason one last time before handing him to his mother. "He was crying and...no one was here..."
Jolene just nodded, not saying anything else about it. "Cecily and your lawyers are downstairs with Jake. I think you're needed there."
Jack's eyes widened at the mention of Jake and headed for the stairs. Jolene looked at Rose, concerned. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes. He was checking on Jason and...everything just overwhelmed him with fighting for one child while losing another..."
"I'm sorry. I should have been up here and..."
"No, no. Don't be. I think...I think both of us needed that. Somehow I feel like everything will be ok now..."
Jolene smiled, hugging the younger woman. "It will be, Rose. We're here for you guys."
Rose smiled, thankful for the comfort. She hugged Jolene back before pulling away. "Let's go see what's going on down there. I'm terribly curious."
"So am I."
Together, the two women descended the stairs to see Jack at the door with Cecily and the lawyers. Fabrizio and Janie stood behind Jack while Jack's parents were nearer the stairs. Cecily had what looked to be suitcases with her and the lawyers were handing Jack some papers to sign.
"What is this all about?" Jack asked, confused. He looked at the papers, trying to understand all that they contained. He felt a hand on his shoulder and was relieved to see that Rose had come to stand next to him, lending him her support.
"Miss. Baker came to us a few days ago, having come to a decision, but she needed our help to process the paperwork and make it airtight so nothing can be undone by her mother," Mr. Lewis explained.
Jack looked at Cecily, feeling confused while Fabrizio wore a smile as he watched his girl, feeling very proud. He knew that she would do the right thing.
"Cecily, care to explain?"
"I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago, Jack. What I should have done the night you found out about Jake. I'm giving up all of my parental rights and I'm giving you full custody. We even have adoption papers for Rose to sign so she'll truly be his mother. All these papers need are both of your signatures and then your lawyers will take them to a judge and have them processed. There's nothing that mother can do. I'm Jake's guardian, not her. Where Jake's concerned, my decisions are the only one that counts and I've decided that Jake deserves to be safe and loved and secure and he'll have that with you and Rose."
"What are you saying here?" Rose frowned, not understanding this herself. It seemed too good to be true and if Cecily was lying...if Mabel Baker can take this away...it'd destroy Jack.
"I"m saying that you can consider the custody battle over. I'm giving you Jake and there's nothing mother can do to stop it. Just sign those papers and he's yours," Cecily stammered nervously, trying not to falter in this decision that she had made. She looked over at Fabrizio and was relieved to see the clear pride and support in his eyes. Those eyes, they refilled the bravery that had spurred her to make her decision.
"Why are you doing this?" Rose asked, still not ready to trust Cecily. She had done this once before and it had nearly killed Jack. She wasn't about to let her offer Jake, just to snatch him away again.
"I...I heard about your loss and...I know that Jake is not a replacement for what you and Jack lost. But maybe giving him back will make it hurt a little less and let's face it. He's better off here with you and Jack. He's happier with you two. Far happier than he ever was with me," Cecily looked down at her hands. "I...I know you don't trust me and I don't blame you, not after I had allowed my mother to take him like she did. But I swear, it's different now. That's why I went to your lawyers, so this time, I can make sure that mother can't undo it. Once I sign those papers, I'll no longer have any rights to Jake as his mother. I promise."
Rose looked at Jack, who looked back at Rose. Neither of them trusted Cecily. They had been burned once, but they knew they couldn't let this chance pass them by. Jack turned back to Cecily.
"If your mother comes here, trying to take him away, I will have her arrested. You make that known to her. This is not Mrs. Lena's children's home. Once Rose signs those papers, she's Jake's mother. You won't be able to take him back. No Baker will have any say over him. Do I make myself clear?"
Cecily nodded. She had expected as much and even though it hurt to be giving up this one last connection to her past with Jack, she knew that it was the right thing to do for both Jake and Jack. Jake needed a real loving family and Jack needed to be with his son, especially now. "Yes. Perfectly clear. I am sorry Jack. For everything. For hurting you, for allowing mother to play these games with our lives..."
"Well, you're doing the right thing now. That is all that matters," Jack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He took the papers from Cecily and handed them to Rose once he was finished signing the required spaces. "Just sign on the dotted line, sweetie."
Feeling like she was in a dream, Rose signed the necessary spaces and handed the papers back to the lawyers. "Is that it?"
"That is it, Mrs. Dawson. Jake Baker, or rather Jake Dawson is now back where he belongs. With his parents," Mr. Lane nodded. "Wasn't such a hard case to win after all, now was it?"
Cecily knelt down to Jake and hugged him. "Good-bye Jake. I am sorry for all you were put through. But you're home now. Home with your daddy and mommy."
"Rose is my mommy now?" Jake asked, studying the faces of the adults surrounding him, clearly confused.
"Yes. Yes she is," Cecily nodded. "You do what she says now."
The little boy just nodded as Cecily released him. She watched as the little boy immediately ran to Jack, who scooped him up into his arms, hugging him close. Cecily smiled, seeing what looked to be a happy reunion. Jake was finally where he belonged.
Rose also smiled. Her baby was gone, but Jack had his son back. She couldn't help but be happy for him. "Thank you."
"All that needs to be done is to file these papers and that will be that for your custody case, Mr. Dawson," Lewis kindly smiled. He had come to really like the Dawsons and it did his heart good to see something good happen for them after the recent tragedy.
"I guess we better get to it then, don't you say old man?" Lane chuckled, leading his partner to the door, glancing at Rose. "We will call you and let you know when everything has been finalized and in the clear."
"Thank you gentlemen, for everything," Rose walked to the door bidding them good-bye.
"Jake, would you like to see your new room?" Jack grinned at the boy now in his arms, who eagerly nodded.
"Rose, want to join us?" Jack asked, shifting Jake into one arm and holding out his free hand to his wife, wanting to include her as much as possible. After all, now that Cecily's rights were gone and she had signed adoption papers, she was Jake's mother in every sense of the word.
Rose just smiled and took Jack's hand, pushing the sadness of losing her baby to the back of her mind. "Of course."
Fabrizio came to stand next to Cecily as the three of them disappeared up the stairs. He smiled at his secret lover, taking her hand. "I knew that you would do the right thing, cara."
"It was hard. I felt like...I was really letting him go," Cecily sighed.
"Jake?" Fabrizio questioned, watching the rest of the Dawsons follow Jack and Rose up the stairs.
"Jack. I just realized that in holding onto Jake, a part of me was holding on to the past with Jack. Letting him go like this, I'm finally saying good-bye to that part of my life...and to that girl that listened to her mother and broke his heart. I feel like, I've finally grown up."
Fabrizio smiled, happy about Cecily's revelations. "That is very good, cara. Another step to breaking away from your mama."
Cecily's eyes widened. "Oh god, mother. She is going to be furious. She had no idea what I've been doing these past days and she's going to blow her top. Thank god Jake won't have to witness it."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Fabrizio had meant it when he said that he would stand by her, but Cecily shook her head.
"No. It's best that I face her alone. Thank you for the offer. It means a lot..."
"Cecily, cara..."
"I must go now. Mother will be back soon. She's welcoming the new owner of the Bradshaw place. She had spent a great deal of time closing the deal since they left town. So maybe she'll be in a good mood."
"I hope that you are right, cara. I do not like the thought of her yelling at you," Fabrizio sighed, pulling her into his arms. "You come to me if you need me, yes?"
"Of course," Cecily leaned in for a short kiss before pulling way and fleeing out of the house. Fabrizio stood at the door and watched her disappear into a town car that he knew to belong to the Baker's. Everything was going to be fine. Somehow, he just knew it.
…..
Mabel Baker raced around the house, making sure that everything was in order. Today was the day that she had spent the last few months preparing for, ever since finding out that the man was back on the market and looking for a suitable bride. Finally, someone for Cecily. All that molding into a proper young lady was finally going to pay off. This union, it'll make her family even more powerful and it'll make sure that Cecily would be set for life as well as herself and her husband.
"Bentley, where is my daughter? Find her and have Hilda prepare her! We're having a very important guest today and she needs to be at her best!"
"Yes madam," Bentley nodded, disappearing out of the room to go in search of Cecily.
There was so much to do, so much to prepare for in order to close the deal. Well at least she didn't have to worry about sending that boy away like she had originally planned. Her judge friend had called and informed her of her daughter's activities concerning Jake. At first she had been furious with Cecily, just handing the boy over like that. But now she saw that it was all for the best. Let the Dawsons have the boy. Free her family of the unplanned consequence of Cecily's teenage mistakes. She wasn't going to fight it. This did them all a great favor. Now they did not have to explain the boy's presence or where he had come from. For once, Cecily had done good and she hadn't even realized it. Perhaps her daughter had finally learned the ways of life.
She took one final glance around the parlor, making sure that everything was in tip top shape, suitable enough for company. If only she knew where her daughter was.
She looked up at the sound of the door opening and closing and she gasped to see Cecily enter, her hair and clothes were a disaster.
"Dear lord, where have you been? You look a fright! Up you go! I'll send Hilda up to prepare you, not a moment to waste! Our guest will be here any minute!" She ushered her stunned daughter up the stairs. "Hurry and do not come down until Hilda has worked her magic on you, young lady! Honestly!"
She watched her daughter disappear up the stairs, not mentioning a word. She shook her head, hoping that this was the last of Cecily's acting out. She needed her to be the obedient daughter right now. The daughter that did what she was told. A perfect wife for a gentleman of their guests stature. After all, what the poor man had previously been through, Cecily should look like a prize. She may not have had the upper class Philadelphia stature of the Dewitt Bukaters, but unlike Rose had been, Cecily was an obedient girl who never stepped out of line. Who was easy to be ruled over. A perfect wife for the gentleman visiting today.
She watched as refreshments were set out and finishing touches were prepared. She smiled with pride as her daughter returned to her side, her dark hair pulled up and wearing her best dress, her makeup perfect. She was everything a well brought up girl should be. That was for sure. She was doing her proud.
"Just remember all that you have been taught when in the company of a suitor," Mabel nodded, just as the doorbell rang and Bentley appeared to announce their visitor.
"Mister Caledon Hockley and Miss. Emma Hockley have arrived Madame," He bowed.
Mabel frowned. "Emma Hockley? Whoever can that be? Well don't just stand there, Bentley! Show them in!"
Mabel was too busy wondering who this Emma was to notice Cecily's gasp as she recognized the name and her mother's plans.
Bentley returned, followed by Caledon Hockley, son of the Pittsburgh Steel Tycoon Nathan Hockley and former Fiancee of Rose Dewitt Bukater Dawson. He looked just as debonair in his gray suit with his black hair combed back, his handsome face the picture of first class charm. In his arms was a little girl with red hair and pink lips, dressed in a frilly green dress with shiney white shoes. Her blue eyes were wide with awe as she took in the fancy surroundings, as if this whole life was something new to her.
"Mister Caledon Hockley and his daughter Emma, Mrs," Bentley bowed before leaving the room, leaving Cecily and Mabel looking at him in shock.
Mabel opened her mouth and then closed it, stunned. No one had told her that the man had a daughter. Where had she come from? Surely she wasn't that Rose Dawson's. The girl may have been wild, but not that wild, surely. No way would Ruth abandon her grandchild as well.
"Mr. Hockley, welcome to our home!" Mabel found her voice. "Please, come in! Make yourself at home!"
The gentleman simply nodded. "This is my daughter Emma. She was an orphan from the Titanic and I'm adopting her. I want to make it clear that any bride of mine will be expected to become a proper mother to Emma as well and teach her how to become a proper lady in our society. It may take some work, but I believe that it can be done. Emma is a very sweet child after all. Eager to please."
Mabel blinked. She had not been expecting this development. But nevertheless, stepchild or not, Caledon Hockley was still an excellent catch. Cecily will just have to get used to becoming a mother after all. "Why of course."
Cal eyed Cecily curiously. "Is this the girl my father said that I am to meet?"
"Oh yes. This is my daughter Cecily. She has attended Wisconsin's finest finishing school and is well prepared to make you a fine wife. "
"Hmm...she is pretty. Does she read? If she does, what does she read? Nothing like Freud, right?"
"Oh heavens no!" Mabel gasped. "I mean, she reads, but nothing as vulger as Freud or any of that feminism manifestos that have been popping up. No, my Cecily only reads Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, Jane Austin, and maybe a Charles Dickens here and there. She's a great lover of the romances and of poetry, but she stays well away from history books, philosophy and politics."
"Hmm...good. My former fiancee read those new age, progressive books and to say that they were a bad influence..."
"Well you'll have no problems like that from Cecily. She's obedient and loyal. She'll never step out of line," Mabel proudly smiled.
The rest of the afternoon was getting to know Caledon Hockley better and the more Cecily learned, the more her heart sank. Her mother had stars in her eyes as she spoke to the man, thinking him the perfect son in law, but to Cecily, he was anything but perfect. He was of her mother's world. Cold, distant, and expecting of obedience. The only warmth she saw of the man was when he looked at or addressed the little girl Emma. It was obvious that he adored the little girl, but she was the only one allowed into his heart. Everyone else, well they were business deals and nothing more. He was nothing like Fabrizio, warm, loving, adventurous and kind. Friendly and compassionate to everyone, not just to an orphaned little girl.
Cecily Baker didn't know much, but she did know one thing. She did not want to marry Caledon Hockley, not anymore than Rose had.
