Chapter Fifty-One
Two Weeks Later…
It was a day just like any other when Rose got the telephone call that put a stop to her believing that her life was going to be smooth sailing from here on out. She was in their wing of the house, in what was the nursery, braiding Lindsey's hair. She was just finishing it off when the telephone rang. Usually she would let the servants answer it, but this time she decided to answer it herself. After all, she didn't want to get used to having the servants do everything for her.
"Hello? Dawson residence," She answered, expecting maybe a business associate of one of the men of the house or maybe even Molly, calling to see how she was settling in.
"Yes, I am calling for a Mr. or Mrs. Jack Dawson," the caller replied, his voice crisp and stern.
"This is Mrs. Jack Dawson. How may I help you?" Rose asked, deciding that she she didn't like the caller. The way he talked reminded her of Nathan Hockley, who was not a pleasant man at all. Who was even grumpier than Cal. Rose never wondered where Cal got the notion that women were property. It was obvious who his role model had been.
"This is Mr. Albert Linningston, one of the richest men in New York City. Have you ever heard of me, Mrs. Dawson?"
Of course she had heard of him. Her mother was always talking about him and his social gatherings, always hoping that they would receive an invitation, but they never had. Not even when she had been ready to marry Cal. Ruth had always hoped that would have changed, but Rose marrying Jack had destroyed that dream.
"Yes, of course. I do believe that anyone brought up in high society has. What can I do for you, Mr. Linningston?"
"I believe that you have made the acquaintance of my daughter, Mrs. Dawson. She lived in Los Angeles California before her unfortunate death."
"Pardon me sir, but I don't know who you are talking about. I've never met anyone with the last name of Linningston in Los Angeles before..."
"Oh that's right. She must have been going by the name of that gutter trash she had married. The last name was Simmons. Does that ring a bell?"
Rose gasped in surprise, now realizing who he was talking about. Stacy...it had to be Stacy. She had no idea that the girl had been from high society. She felt a little hurt that her friend had never clued her in, but then again she could understand why she hadn't.
Rose looked at Lindsey, who was now brushing the hair of the doll Jack had brought her just a few days ago. Her heart was in her throat as she spoke next. She had a sinking feeling about this. "Yes it does..."
"I had just found out that my daughter had been dead for quite a while now and that her child is now residing with you and your husband and that you have the intention to adopt her."
"Yes sir. In fact, adoption proceedings are underway as we speak," Rose forced herself to answer, trying not to panic. Panicking would not help anything. She glanced up as Kathy came in, followed by her maid Sylvia. Kathy stopped and frowned as she saw the tension in her cousin in law. She stood by silently and waited for Rose to get off the phone.
"In fact, Mrs. Dawson, they have been halted. I have no intentions of letting you adopt my granddaughter. In fact, I have just applied for custody and expect an answer back tomorrow morning. I found it only fair to call and tell you myself."
"Wait a minute, you can't do that. Stacy had left it in her will that..."
"You have guardianship Mrs. Dawson? I understand that. But Stacy had also neglected to put down her next of kin so that they could be considered as well. Now if you excuse me, I must go now. I am a busy man and do not have all day to discuss the matter with you. Good day."
And with that said, Albert Linningston hung up the phone, leaving Rose staring into space, a stunned expression on her face.
"Mommy?" Lindsey came up to her, concerned. "Mommy?"
Kathy too was also concerned. She didn't like how pale Rose had became in such a short time. "Rose? Who was that on the phone?"
Rose blinked, her mind clearing a little. She looked down at Lindsey then back at Kathy, who was still frowning at her with concern. "Kathy, will you please have Sylvia take Lindsey outside into the garden? It is such a pretty day and the fresh air will do her good..."
Still frowning, Kathy just nodded and turned to her maid. "Sylvia..."
Having heard Rose's request, the maid just nodded. "Yes ma'am." She took Lindsey's hand and left the room, heading out into the garden. Whatever was going on, it was clear that the girl's mother didn't want her to hear.
Now alone, Kathy returned her attention to Rose. "Who was that on the phone that's gotten you so spooked?"
Rose's voice began to tremble as she suddenly sat down on the bed. Tears welled up into her eyes, much to her dismay. "That was Lindsey's grandfather. He called to tell me that there's no way that he'll let me adopt her. In fact, he's applying for custody as we speak..."
"Lindsey's grandfather? Who is he and why are we just now hearing from him?"
"Albert Linningston, one of the richest men in New York City. He was Stacy's father...they were obviously estranged, and she failed to tell me that she was even related to him," tears began to fall as sobs began to overtake Rose. She had wanted to be Lindsey's mother so badly, and now it looked like it wasn't going to happen. She couldn't help but be heartbroken. "What are we going to do? There's no way that we're going to be able to keep her...he's too powerful!"
"Rose...you're forgetting something. You're rich again, remember? You can fight him," Kathy attempted to comfort Rose, rubbing her back in a circular motion.
"Kathy, you don't understand. This man...he's more than just rich. He's filthy rich. He's worth more than the Hockley's and the Astor's put together. He'll just swoop in and take Lindsey anyway. If we try to fight him, he'll probably take all that we have as well. Not that money matters...I'd give all of this up just to be able to keep her. Poor Lindsey...she'll grow up like I had, in a cold, uncaring home. Afraid to even breathe wrong. She won't know the love, support, and freedom that Jack and I can give her..."
"Rose...look, just wait until Jack comes home. I'm sure that if we call a family meeting and put our heads together, we can come up with something..."
Rose looked at Kathy, tears now streaming freely from her eyes. "We can't lose her Kathy. I love her so much. She's what helped me heal from my mother's death. She's what brought me back to Jack. They can't take her from us now...they can't!"
Her heart breaking for the girl that has become a friend as well as a cousin, Kathy pulled Rose into a hug, allowing her to cry on her shoulder, all the while telling her that it'll be alright. She knew that she probably wasn't helping. It wasn't her arms that Rose needed, it was Jack's. She could take her to Jack now. She knew that there were meetings going on, but this was more important.
"Rose, get your coat. I'll have Sylvia watch the children."
Rose frowned, looking at her cousin through her tears. "Where are we going?"
"To see Jack. He has to know what's going on. Besides, I think you need him more than you need me."
Rose sniffed and just nodded her head. Kathy was probably right. The sooner Jack knew what was going on with Lindsey, the better.
…..
One hour later…
Dawson Enterprises…
Jack was sitting in another board meeting trying not to be bored to tears. He really did hate these things. They were boring and tedious and he really had no idea why it took so long to simply make a decision on one tiny issue. He much rather be at home with Rose and the children, perhaps drawing them in the garden. He could picture it now. Rose would have made a crown of roses to put in her hair, looking like a princess that Lindsey had once accused her of being, much to Jack's own amusement.
Cameron's voice broke up the daydream as he directed a question towards him. "So Jack, what do you think?"
Jack frowned as his cheeks began to grow red, embarrassed from being caught not paying attention. "About what?"
Cameron sighed and rolled his eyes, his impatience obvious. "Jack, I know that you are not used to this set up, but you are going to have to pay attention to what is being said if you are going to make it here. We were talking about the pay. I say that we lower it while James over there says that we bring it up a little. What do you think?"
"Oh...well I say give the raise based on merit. If the worker deserves the raise, give it to them. If they don't, keep it the same but don't lower it. These men and women, they have families that they have to take care of and that takes money. It's why they're working for us."
"Good idea, Jack," James winked, giving his cousin an encouraging smile. He knew he could count on him to agree. It may not look like it, but Jack really was catching on to how running this company worked.
All discussion stopped when Kathy poked her head into the room and motioned for Jack. Cameron angrily stood up from his seat. This wasn't the first time she had interrupted a meeting to talk with Jack and mostly it was about nothing. He was getting more than annoyed by it. "Kathy what do you want now?!"
"Rose needs to talk to Jack. It's very important, it's about Lindsey's adoption proceedings."
Jack frowned, confused. His lawyer had assured him that morning that everything was going well, that with in another week Lindsey would be theirs. "What about Lindsey's adoption proceedings?"
"Rose will tell you, just hurry. She's really upset..."
Jack just nodded and excused himself from the table and joined Kathy out in the hall. "Alright, where is she?"
"She's in your office. I thought that you two could use the privacy," Kathy explained, already heading for the room not too far down the hall. "She'll explain everything to you. Tell her that I'll be waiting just outside."
"Sure," Jack nodded. Still confused, he watched Kathy leave before entering his office. He found Rose standing by a window overlooking a pond, gazing at the picture he had taken a week ago of her and their children. "Rose, what's wrong? Kathy said something about the adoption proceedings."
Rose looked at him with fresh tears in her eyes before running to him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Jack, it's awful! Albert Linningston called and said that he was Lindsey's grandfather and that he has no intentions of letting us adopt her! He's had the adoption proceedings halted and has put in for custody himself! What are we going to do?"
"Wait a minute. Who is Albert Linningston?"
Rose sniffed and wiped at her tears. "The richest man in New York City. He's richer than the Hockley's and the Astors put together. There is no way that we can win a custody battle...not against him!"
"Now Rose, I thought that we were going to be optimistic," Jack stroked her hair, trying to stay calm in the face of her tears. "Just because some old man is rich doesn't mean that he can take better care of Lindsey than we can. I mean, he's a lonely old man and we're a young couple with children of our own. Believe me, we're the better choice."
"But the judge may not see it that way Jack. The judge will probably see all of that money and decide that Lindsey's better off with her grandfather," Rose sobbed.
"Rose come over here and sit down," Jack led her over to the chair behind his desk. "Look at me, Rose. We are not going to let that old man take Lindsey. Not without a fight. Do you hear me?"
"But there is no winning against him, Jack."
"How do you know if you don't try? Do you want Lindsey to grow up in a cold stiff house, the way you did?"
"Of course not...that's why I'm so upset," Rose sniffed, her tears beginning to dry.
"Would you fight to keep that from happening to her?"
"Of course!"
"Well then let's fight to keep that from happening! Believe it or not Rose, we do have a good chance of winning. We're not that poor couple fresh off Titanic anymore! We have love and we have money. We can do this. Just let me call my lawyer and get that custody thing halted. Then we can see where to go from there," He gently smiled, touching her cheek. "It will be alright Rose. I promise."
Rose just smiled, touched by his optimism. She could tell that he truly did believe that they had a chance to win the battle for custody. It was clear in his bright blue eyes and it made her want to believe to. Rubbing away her tears, she leaned into his arms. "Okay, Jack. We'll do what you say."
"Okay. Now Kathy is waiting outside. Why don't you two go to the park and get some fresh air before heading back home. I'll stay here and make that call to the lawyer. I'll be home soon."
"Alright," Rose smiled, getting back to her feet. "I'm sorry for the disruption of your meeting..."
"Hey, don't be. You and our children are more important to me than any meeting. Just remember that Lindsey is our daughter. No matter what that old man says," Jack pulled her into a tight hug before releasing her.
Rose just nodded and smiled, trying to believe his words. "I'll see you when you get home, Jack."
Jack smiled and gave a small wave as she left to join Kathy. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. It was hard work, staying optimistic...but he had to. It had been obvious to him that he had to be the strong one. He just hoped that he could keep his promise and go home to Rose with some good news. He had grown to love that little girl as well and didn't know how losing her would affect himself as well as Rose. He didn't even want to think of the possibility. It was just too hard to even consider.
…..
Dawson Mansion….
Jack returned home, feeling forlorn. He had called the lawyer, just as he had promised Rose, but the news wasn't good. As soon as he had told the lawyer what had happened and who was suing for custody, the lawyer had instantly told them that they didn't have a prayer of winning. That the chances of keeping custody of Lindsey was very slim. Linningston was a very powerful man and was friends with the judges and civil servants of the New England area. He had many strings that he could pull...too many strings to be counted actually. The lawyer had said that it would be best to just turn the little girl over and save both himself and Rose a whole lot of misery.
But Jack couldn't see himself, nor Rose doing such a thing. Lindsey would be miserable in that kind of environment. She needed love and warmth as well as stability and he doubted that Linningston could give her that love and warmth.
As he returned home, he had no idea what he was going to tell Rose. He had promised good news, but he had none to give. He couldn't pretend that everything was okay and that the fight for Lindsey wouldn't be a dirty one. Yet he couldn't let her lose hope either.
He entered the mansion to find Rose in the sitting room sipping some tea. She looked up as he entered, her eyes curious. "What did the lawyer say?"
Jack winced as he recognized the hope in her eyes. He was so tempted to lie to her, but he couldn't. He had to tell the truth. "Well...he said that the chances of winning was slim…"
"Oh Jack..."
"But...there is still hope, Rose. A slim chance is still a chance," He went to her and pulled her into his arms, his mind made up. He wasn't going to despair. He wasn't going to give up hope...not yet. "We are going to fight this, Rose. We are not going to just hand Lindsey over. We are going to fight for her."
"But what if we lose her anyway, Jack?"
"Well then at least she'll know that we tried. That there was someone that wasn't willing to bow down to her grandfather...that there were people willing to fight for her, no matter what."
