Chapter Fifty-four

Rose sighed as she woke up, wrapped in Jack's arms. Yesterday felt like a nightmare. Without even given a chance to put up a decent fight, Lindsey had been taken from them. It was a loss that she felt deep within herself. She had loved Lindsey as if she had given birth to her herself. How could she have lost her like that? How could there not be anything that she could do to stop it from happening? It just wasn't fair. For once, everything had been so good for her family. There had been no problems or strife to haunt them. Then this happens and they were again in mourning. Would it ever end?

She felt her heart constrict as she looked at Jack's seemingly peaceful face. She knew that peace was an illusion of sleep though. Jack was just as heartbroken as her. He had loved Lindsey as well. This must be so hard for him, to know that even his optimism couldn't beat men like Albert Linningston. That sometimes the world sucks, no matter how hard you tried to make it not to. What made it even worse though was that he was trying to hide his pain so he could better tend to hers, which was so unfair. He should be able to mourn as well. He shouldn't have to take care of her all the time.

Well, this time was going to be different. She wasn't going to let herself drown in grief like she had back in Santa Monica. She was going to get up and get herself together and be the wife and mother that Jack and their twins deserved. She was going to make sure that Jack wouldn't feel that he had to put off his own grief to take care of her.

Determined, she gently pulled herself out of his arms and slipped out of bed and quickly dressed. She went into the nursery and checked on the twins, who were still asleep in their beds, unaware of the heartbreak that had struck their parents the day before. She then headed downstairs towards the kitchen, a woman with a plan. She was going to make breakfast, like a normal wife would. She was just opening the door to the entrance when she was startled by Cameron.

"It's good to see you up in a better mood," Cameron spoke up from where he was sitting in the dining room, a cup of coffee before him, a paper in hand. His smile was laughing and for a moment, he reminded her of Jack when she had called him rude on Titanic.

"I didn't see you sitting there," Rose gasped, turning away from the kitchen to talk to her husband's cousin, a man that she still didn't care for.

Cameron just grinned and leaned back in his chair. "I know. What are you up to, Rose? Cook normally doesn't let anyone into her kitchen."

"Not that it's any of your business, but I was planning to cook breakfast for Jack. I wanted to surprise him."

"Really? What makes today so much special than any other day?"

Rose sighed, not really in the mood to explain herself, but Cameron seemed determined to pull her into a conversation. "He's just been very supportive of me these past few months...sometimes at the expense of himself. I just thought that he deserved a breakfast lovingly cooked by his wife."

"Of course," Cameron chuckled, his eyes roaming over her body. She certainly was a beautiful woman. More beautiful than his vagabond cousin deserved, that was for sure. Hockley was pathetic for not being able to hang on to her.

She was about to enter the kitchen when Jack came into the dining room, fully dressed and yawning. He frowned when he saw Rose about to enter the kitchen. "Rose? What are you up to?"

"Jack, what are you doing up? I was hoping you'd be asleep for a little while longer?" Rose pouted, disappointed that she hadn't even been able to start on her surprise. Inwardly, she damned Cameron for distracting her. "I was hoping to surprise you with a home cooked meal, made by yours truly."

"Oh sweetie, that's so thoughtful of you," Jack went to her and pulled her into a warm hug, touched that she was thinking of him. "That would have been delicious. But sadly, I don't have time for breakfast this morning."

"What? Why"

"I have an early morning meeting with the board," Jack sighed, inwardly hating the fact that he couldn't just stay here with his wife like he would have been able to in Chippewa Falls and even Santa Monica. "I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. I just wanted to do something to let you know that I realize what a horrible wife I had been in the past and now that's going to change. I am not going to lose myself over losing Lindsey. I'm going to be the wife and mother that you and the twins deserve."

"Rose, you've always been a great wife and mother. You've just been through more than anyone should have to go through in such a short time. I understand and so do the twins. There's no need for you to get up to cook us anything."

"I love you,"She sighed, kissing him one last time.

Jack returned the kiss, saving the taste of her lips before releasing her. "I love you too, but Cameron and I must be off before they start without us."

"But Jack, you haven't eaten anything!"

"Don't worry! I'll grab something at the office, they always have coffee and some kind of pastry!" Jack waved, grabbing his briefcase as he followed Cameron out the door, leaving Rose to stand at the kitchen door, full of disappointment. She almost didn't see Kathy enter.

"Hey Rose," Kathy carefully greeted, wondering if Rose was still upset with her about Lindsey. "Feeling better?"

"I'm okay. I had just said goodbye to Jack."

"Oh yeah, it's the big meeting today."

Rose frowned. "What is this meeting about?"

"Jack is addressing the workers as one of the new owners of the company. With Grandpa now gone, it's for the best that the workers know who all they're working for. He must be so nervous..."

Rose frowned, feeling like she was already failing at being a better wife. "Should I have gone with him?"

"Whatever for? I mean, you're just his wife. You have nothing to do with the factory."

"I don't know...moral support?"

Kathy just laughed and shook her head, getting the gist of what was bothering her cousin. "Oh Rose. You're just wanting to be close to Jack right now, and it's completely understandable. You two have just suffered a great loss and you only have each other and the twins."

Rose sighed and took a seat at the dining table, feeling weary of the direction this conversation was heading. She wanted to change it. She wanted to discuss anything that did not have to do with Lindsey. "So...have you heard anything from Mr. Jake?"

Kathy shook her head, allowing Rose to steer the conversation away from the lost little girl. "No. Nothing. Of course, he may have tried to stop by just to be sent away by Cameron. It'd be just like him. He's so determined for me to marry Mr. Humphrey."

"Jake reminds me of Jack when we had first met. You may not believe it, but when he was telling Cameron why he had found life on the street so appealing, his words almost matched Jack's on Titanic."

"Really?"

"Yes. So if that's not a sign that you're meant to be, I don't know what is," Rose girlishly giggled, beginning to feel a little more relaxed. "Hey, do you want to go to the park later? See if we can run into him? It'll give me something to do to take my mind off of Lindsey and may give you a chance to see him again."

Kathy grinned, liking the idea of seeing Jake again. She had had a wonderful time the other night and she wanted to spend more time with him. "Okay. Let's do it."

…..

The park was almost empty when the girls and the twins got there. Only a few people occupied the benches situated under some trees. Choosing an empty bench in the middle of the park, under a big oak tree, Rose and Kathy settled down and took the twins out of their strollers so they could run and play.

"They miss Lindsey," Kathy sighed, watching Molly run into her brother, knocking him down.

Rose nodded, remembering their questioning as she had gotten them dressed for the outing. "They were looking for her. Molly kept asking me where she was. I didn't know what to tell them. I still don't," She looked away from the children, not wanting them to see the tears that threatened to spill. "Not to mention that I am at a loss on what to do next. Should we continue to fight or should we let her go to live with her grandfather? Either way, it's painful for her and for us."

Kathy hated to see Rose in pain like this. She had some advice, but she knew that it wouldn't be appreciated, but she'll give it anyway, as a friend and as someone who loved Jack and Rose. "Don't hate me for saying this, but maybe it is for the best if you just let her go. I mean, it's not like you don't have children of your own and can't have anymore. Plus, with Jack getting used to being a part of the family business...it's just not a good idea to fight someone so powerful..."

"But that old man...he was so cold. He reminded me of my mother before Titanic. I know all too well what it is like to grow up in that type of environment. It is not suitable for a child."

"I don't know what else to say. The decision is up to you and Jack. If he's up for the fight, fight. Just don't let it destroy your family."

Rose just nodded, gazing at the wedding band that she had worn for the past two years. "Maybe Jack can see things more objectively than I can. He is always the calm one."

Kathy just smiled, noticing the pure love in Rose's eyes as she talks about Jack. That was the look she wanted to have when it came to talking about her future husband. She wanted to be head over heels in love with him. That won't happen if she married anyone that Cameron chose for her. She knew that for a fact, but she could see herself looking that way at Jake.

"Hello ladies. Fancy meeting you here," a familiar voice spoke up from behind. Kathy turned around and smiled when she saw Jake. Their mission seemed to be a success.

"Jake," Kathy smiled, getting to her feet, along with Rose.

"Hi Kathy. Hello Mrs. Dawson," Jake greeted, surprised yet pleased to see the women in the park at this time of day. He hadn't really been expecting to see Kathy again, at least not this easily.

"Please, call me Rose," Rose smiled, recognizing the look in Kathy's eyes as she looked at Jake. She remembered when she had worn that same look herself.

"So what are you two lovely ladies doing out here this lovely morning?" Jake questioned.

"Oh we're taking a nice stroll in the park with the twins. I thought some fresh air would cheer Rose up. Her and Jack had just lost custody of a little girl that they had wanted to adopt. I thought it would be a good distraction for her until Jack returned home."

"A friend of mine works for the Dawson factory. He said that there was going to be a big meeting about a new addition to management. I assume that is Jack?"

Rose nodded. "Yes. He seemed really nervous about it. He's never been over anyone before."

"Ah, don't worry. The men are friendly fellas. From what I've seen of your husband ma'am, he'll be one of the favorites," Jake gave a reassuring smile. "They'll like him a lot better than that Cameron."

He quickly shut up, remembering that Cameron was Kathy's brother. Despite how horrid the man was, she may not appreciate him talking that way about her brother.

"I'll have to agree with you on that," Rose nodded, her dislike for the oldest Dawson cousin all too clear.

"Rose doesn't care much for my brother. Not that I can blame her. He had the audacity to try to court her when grandfather brought her and Jack to Boston."

"And that was after he talked badly about Jack," Rose frowned at the memory.

Kathy nodded. "The look on his face when he found out you were married to Jack was worth it though. He still can't figure out how Jack managed to get a girl like you."

"Jack got a girl like me because he's sweet, kind, and actually cares about my feelings. I'm not just a pretty face to him. Of course, Jack wasn't brought up in high society, so he was never taught that women are to be seen and not heard."

"So...um...do you girls have any plans this evening? Like possibly visiting a certain bar again tonight?" Jake asked. Normally he wouldn't be so forward, but he really wanted to see Kathy again.

Rose sighed. She wasn't really in the mood to visit a bar, not after losing Lindsey. Maybe if Jack wanted to go, but otherwise, they would have to count her out. "Maybe if Jack wants to go. We're going through a hard time right now. He may not want to and to be honest, I'm not the best company these days."

Jake couldn't help feeling disappointed. He knew that he wouldn't be able to spend time with Kathy without chaperones. Jack and Rose seemed to be the only one willing to do so. Without them, he might as well kiss his chances with Kathy goodbye.

"Maybe some other night then," Jake nodded, not wanting to pressure the women.

Kathy nodded, also feeling disappointed. "Maybe."

"I guess I better be on my way. I have an interview with a newspaper editor today. They may print some of my stories," Jake tipped the hat he was wearing. "Good day, ladies."

Kathy waved, sad to see him go. She really did enjoy his company. She sighed as he walked away.

"He is a nice man," Rose smiled, turning to her friend. "I think that he is quite taken with you."

"You really think so?"

"He couldn't keep his eyes off of you," Rose nodded, getting to her feet. "Well, we had gotten what we came for. A meeting with Mr. Matthews. We should head back."

Rose took a step forward when she was suddenly overcame with dizziness. She gasped as she fell to the ground, passing out on the way down.

"Rose!" Kathy screamed as she knelt down next to her unconscious cousin in law. She frowned at how pale the woman now was. "Rose!"

Jake wasn't that far away when he heard Kathy shout. Concerned, he jogged back over and gasped when he saw Rose unconscious in the grass. "What happened?"

Kathy shook her head. "I don't know. One minute she was just fine, getting to her feet. Then she just turned as white as a ghost and fainted."

"Has this ever happened before?"

"I don't think so. Not since I've known her," Kathy sniffed. "I have to get her back to the house..."

Feeling for the scared Kathy, Jake took her hand, forcing himself to remain calm. "Look, it'll be alright. You gather the kids and I'll carry Rose. We'll get her back home."

"You're going to help me?"

Jake just chuckled and nodded. "Hey, why so shocked? I helped you before and this is a much more serious situation than you wanting to avoid a suitor you don't like. Of course I'll help. Now go get the kids. We have some traveling to do."

Kathy did as Jake instructed and together they managed to get Rose and the children back to the Dawson mansion. Kathy opened the door and allowed Jake to enter first with a still unconscious Rose cradled in his arms.

"Mrs. Rose!" Sylvia, the head housemaid, exclaimed in a mixture of surprise and horror as she saw Jake enter the house with the unconscious redhead with Kathy and the twins following close behind. "Whatever happened?"

"Rose fainted at the park, Sylvia. Please go send Wallace for the doctor right away," Kathy instructed. "Then come back and take the twins to the playroom. They need some distraction."

"What of the young man here?" Sylvia eyed Jake suspiciously. She didn't think that this particular young man would be back at the mansion. He certainly wasn't one of the gentlemen that Mr. Cameron would approve of.

"He's my friend and is assisting me getting Rose back here. Now go do as I've asked please," Kathy struggled to keep herself from snapping at the woman. Something was wrong with Rose and the maid was worried about Jake.

Sylvia just nodded her head and left the room to fulfill her orders.

"Where should I take her?" Jake asked, his arms beginning to grow tired.

"Up to her bedroom. She'll be more comfortable in there. Come, I'll show you the way," Kathy lead the way up to Jack and Rose's bedroom and made Rose as comfortable as they possibly could before returning downstairs.

…..

One Hour Later…

Rose was now barely awake and feeling rather embarrassed about the fainting spell. The doctor had just exited to find Kathy and Jake waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.

"What's wrong with Rose, Doctor? Why did she faint?" Kathy questioned, barely aware of Jake placing a supportive arm around her shoulders.

The doctor gave a kind smile. Usually, he didn't share a patient's diagnosis, but he knew how close the Dawson family was and didn't want to leave Kathy in the dark. He didn't think it would be a problem to let her know. "To put it simply, she's pregnant. Two months along now. I recommend that she spend the rest of the day in bed. She can return to her normal routine tomorrow. The fainting was her body reacting to the amount of stress she must have been under of late. But she'll be fine if she reduces it. I've schedule an appointment for next week so I can keep an eye on things. Make sure that she keeps it."

"Of course," Kathy sighed, relieved that it wasn't something more serious and thrilled that Jack and Rose were going to have a new baby soon. Hopefully that will heal the wounds caused by losing Lindsey.

"Keep all excitement at a minimum. This looks like it could turn into a difficult pregnancy if she's not careful. It's hard to tell at the moment, but to be safe, keep her calm."

"Yes sir," Kathy nodded.

The doctor tipped his hat in farewell and walked out the door, on his way to another appointment.

Kathy gave a little chuckle as she turned to face Jake, who just gave her a kind smile.

"See. Everything is fine," He had something else to say, but worlds left him as he felt himself drawn into her beautiful blue eyes. He couldn't stop himself from stroking her golden blond hair. Feeling his heart beat faster in his chest, he knew that he had fallen in love with her. When he thought about his life, he couldn't imagine it without her in it. It may not be a good idea to fall in love with a girl of such high class station, but he couldn't help himself.

Feeling this intense attraction between them, Kathy placed a hand on his chest. "Jake..." Her hand immediately wrapped around his neck as he pulled her close and claimed her lips in a deep passionate kiss.

For two minutes, they are in a world of their own, nothing and no one else existed except for them.

Then Cameron arrived.

"What in the hell is going on here!" He yelled angrily. The last thing he had expected to find in his foyer was that street rat kissing his sister as if he had every right to do so! He immediately pulled them apart and placed himself between Kathy and Jake, his glare fully on the poor writer. "How dare you come in here and put your hands on my sister!"

"Cameron please…," Kathy tried to intervene, not wanting Jake to get into trouble.

"Go to your room Katherine! I will handle this!" Cameron didn't even turn around to look at her. All of his anger was directed at Jake.

"Cameron," She tried again, but this time, Cameron fixed his angry glare on her.

"What did I just say? Trust me, this is not the time to be disobedient!"

"It's okay, Kathy, I can take care of myself," Jake assured her. It wasn't like he didn't know that this confrontation was going to come. He had been expecting it, really.

Kathy just looked at the two men. One was angry and one was calm in the face of confrontation. She had no choice but to believe that Jake would survive this. Sighing in defeat, she went upstairs, but not to her room. Instead, she went into Rose's room, who was again peacefully sleeping, unaware of the confrontation downstairs.

Now alone, Cameron turned his glare back to Jake. His eyes were full of hatred. How dare this urchin come into his house and try to force his way into his family! It wasn't going to happen! He wouldn't allow it to!

Not intimidated in the least, Jake stood his ground. He was not going to let Cameron Dawson push him out of Kathy's life. It was a stupid stance, but one that he believed in. Besides, the story of what had happened to Caledon Hockley was wide news now and it had given men like him hope.

Cameron immediately punched Jake, sending him whirling back into the door. "I don't know what you think you are doing coming in here and trying to move in on my sister, but you can think again! Katherine is already taken. She will be marrying Mitchell Humphrey, a wealthy Boston lawyer. Not some gutter rat off the streets!"

"Oh really? I think that the girl has other plans," Jake cynically smiled. "Times are changing Cameron. Women aren't to be bartered like cattle anymore. You can punch me and yell as much as you want, but you'll never get rid of me. I love Kathy and she loves me and you will not come between us."

"Is that so?" Cameron growled, his anger growing.

"Yes. That is so," Jake crossed his arms over his chest, mentally preparing himself to be attached by the angry business man.

Cameron balled up his fist, ready for another punch, but Jack arrived home. Immediately sensing the tension between the two men and spotting Cameron's fist, he immediately slid in between the two men. "What is going on here?"

"This street rat here was coming on to Katherine," Cameron growled, angry that he was now blocked from doing more violence. "I caught them right here in this hallway, kissing!"

"My name is Jake, not street rat! Try to get it right!" Jake glared at Cameron, wanting to return the punch.

Jack felt tired. It had been a long day at the office and all he had wanted to do was come home and spend time with his family, not break up a fight. "Cameron, no name calling. It won't solve anything. Now what's going on? Sylvia said that my wife had fainted in the park today and I came in here wanting to check on her, just to find you Cameron, throwing fists at Jake."

"I caught...Jake...kissing my sister and I am not going to stand for it! Do you hear?!" Cameron nearly screeched.

"That is Kathy's choice, not yours!" Jake glared over Jack's shoulder at Cameron. "You don't own her! You can't tell her who she can and can not marry!"

"You've got that wrong, Jake. It is my choice! It says so in our grandfather's will! My cousin here can confirm that, right Jack?"

Jack really didn't want to get involved, but it looked as if he had no choice. "The will only said that you could advise her on her choices, not actually tell her who she can and cannot marry," Jack shook his head. "Listen, it's been a long day, plus I want to check on Rose, so why don't Jake just come back by some other time to visit Kathy if she wants him to?"

"I'm welcomed to see her again?" Jake asked, wanting everything to be clear before he took a step out of this mansion.

"If that's what she wants," Jack shrugged, ignoring Cameron's angry glare. "But right now, I think it's wise if you just leave your number and address so she can get in touch with you herself. You two can work something out then."

"Okay," Jake immediately got out his pen and notepad and jotted down the address where he was staying and pressed it into Jack's hand, knowing that he would make sure that Kathy got it. Tell her I'll be waiting. Oh and congratulations!"

With that, Jake was gone, leaving Jack and Cameron alone.

"How dare you tell that trash that he can see my sister again?" Cameron glowered.

"Not now Cameron. I have to check on my wife," Jack sighed. "We'll talk about this later."

"You are damn right we well, Jack. I will not see my sister married to that gutter rat!"

Ignoring his angry cousin, Jack went up to his room to find Rose peacefully sleeping and Kathy sitting by her bedside in tears.

"Kathy? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Jack asked, kneeling in front of her, placing a comforting hand on her knee.

"Because I'll never see Jake again," Kathy sniffed, trying to wipe away her tears. "Cameron will make sure of it..."

"Of course you'll see him again. Cameron can't stand in the way of that, not if you're meant to be together. Believe me, I know from experience that what may seem out of reach, actually isn't. Do you love him? I mean, really love him, like you can't think of anything else when he's around?"

Kathy just nodded in response, not knowing how else to describe how she felt for Jake.

"Well then it's inevitable that you two will end up together. No matter how much Cameron rants and raves," Jack chuckled.

"But I don't know how to get in contact with him and I am sure that Cameron is going to have him banned from the mansion," Kathy sniffed, still feeling at a loss on what to do.

"Here," Jack pressed the paper with Jake's address into her hand. "He left this for you. It's his address."

Kathy gasped. She hadn't expected Jake to leave her his address and for Jack to give it to her, but of course he would! He had once been in Jake's shoes, so why wouldn't he help them? "Jack, thank you! You are a lifesaver! Rose is so lucky to have you!"

"Speaking of Rose, Sylvia said that she had fainted. What happened?"

Kathy nodded, again feeling excited about the news, yet careful not to spill anything. She was sure that Rose wanted to tell him herself. "She fainted in the park today. Jake was nearby to see what had happened and had carried her back here. We had the doctor called and...well...I'll just leave the rest of it to Rose to tell you. It should come from her," Kathy smiled, getting to her feet. "I'll just leave you two alone. She should be waking up any minute now."

"Wait...Jake told me congratulations. What was that supposed to mean?"

Kathy just smiled as she walked to the door. "Rose will tell you. See you two later."

Jack watched her go and then turned his attention to Rose, who was already opening her eyes. She smiled to see Jack there, looking rather confused.

"Jack, you're home," She smiled happily, feeling even more relaxed now that Jack was by her side.

"Yeah. I'm home and worried about you. What's going on?"

"Jack...I don't know when this happened, but we're going to be parents of three children instead of two...in about seven months time..."

Jack's eyes widened in shock. "What? Are you saying that..."

Rose nodded, feeling completely happy for the first time since losing Lindsey. "I'm two months pregnant. We are going to have another baby!"

Laughing happily, Jack hugged his wife, not ever wanting to let her go. "Rose, this is wonderful news! Does Tommy and Molly know?"

"Not yet...should we go tell them?"

"Of course!"

Jack and Rose found their twins and happily shared the news. That night the small family went to sleep, feeling joyful and looking forward to the coming new addition.