Two weeks later…
The next two weeks were trying ones for Rose. Jack was still melancholy over his condition, even though he was trying to come out of it for Rose's sake, but most times she found him staring into space, brooding over his condition and the fact that his nosey, judgmental aunt was now living with them. She found herself refereeing fights between Donald and William, with William being the aggressor, always having to needle Donald about being a momma's boy or being spineless. This angered Rose, because she could somewhat relate to Donald. Her own mother was domineering and it was only a few months before the fateful trip on Titanic that Rose began rebelling. She too had been cowed by her mother, so she didn't judge Donald in the least.
Then there was her own mother, who had decided to make a quick visit to relatives in Philadelphia. Rose was beginning to think that her mother was avoiding coming back to Chippewa Falls. That would be all fine and good if Rose didn't have Edith Dawson to deal with. And on top of that was her own pregnancy, which she had lost track of, thanks to all that's been going on. Judging from the increased movement of the baby and how she had tiny cramps every now and then, she felt that she was most likely overdue. One thing was for sure, she was sick and tired of being pregnant. She was ready for baby Dawson to make an entrance, even though the very thought of giving birth still frightened her. Especially with Edith Dawson here to tell her how she wasn't giving birth right, just like she had been criticizing Rose from the moment she got there.
It was late Sunday morning. Rose stood at the stove, letting it heat up so she could prepare breakfast. At least she hoped she'd be able to. For the past two weeks, she had been bullied out of the kitchen. William said she should stand her ground. This was her house too now. Edith Dawson had no right to just show up uninvited and push her around. But in her condition, she really didn't have much fight in her. Which was one of the reasons that she had hoped that Ruth would have returned by now.
She was taking the eggs out of the icebox when Donald entered the room stifling a yawn. He managed a smile as he saw Rose.
"Oh, good morning. I wasn't expecting to see you in here," the young man managed to say, nearly stumbling over his awkward feelings. Not for the first time, he wished that he was more like his cousin. Jack knew how to talk to women so effortlessly. Donald always felt like he was doing it all wrong somehow.
"Good morning. I just thought that I should start early if I want Jack to eat something I cooked him," Rose sat the eggs on the table. She inwardly winced at her words. They sounded so unkind. "Not that I'm not appreciative of your mother's help..."
"I'd like to apologize for my mother. She has been rather harsh with you...but she means well," Donald rubbed the back of his neck, feeling, not for the first time, embarrassed by his mother's behavior. He wished that she would be a lot kinder,
especially to those new to the family, like Rose. Someone who has been nothing but kind to him.
"There's no need for you to apologize. You haven't done anything. I do apologize for William, though. I don't know why he insists on being so mean to you."
"It's because I can't say no to mother about anything...even when I know that she's wrong," Donald sighed. He gave a hesitant shrug and met Rose's eyes head on, Just knowing what she must be thinking about him. "I know...I'm a coward. I should stand up to her, but you don't understand..."
"You love her, so it's not easy to say no. It's not that you're a coward. It's just that you're afraid of her. It's that she's your mother, she's all you've known since you were born and you'd like her to be happy, no matter how unhappy it makes you."
"You seem to get it."
Rose's smile was grim, yet understanding. "I do. I was ready to marry a man that I despised just to see my own overbearing mother happy. It was only last year that I began rebelling and only last April, when I met Jack, to break away completely."
"That's just it. You have Jack. I have no one. My mother is my best friend. If I lose her, I'll be all alone."
"No, you won't. You have Jack and me. We're your family too and Jack is fond of you."
Donald had to laugh. His cousin had yet to show any sign that he enjoyed his company at all. Of course, Jack was going through a lot right now, so that may be the reason why. "You can fool me about that."
"He does. He said you weren't that bad. It's your mother that he doesn't like, not you. Not to mention, Jack's not himself right now. Losing the ability to walk...it's drained all the cheerfulness out of him."
"That would do it for anyone," Donald sighed, not for the first time feeling bad for his cousin. He didn't know what he would do in Jack's position.
"Anyway, how do you take your eggs again?" Rose asked, opening the cupboard.
"Donald, are you in here?" Edith Dawson entered the room in search of her son. She stopped in midstride when she not only found Donald, but Rose as well. She frowned, not liking what she found at all. "And with her? What are you two up to?"
Sensing where his mother's thoughts were going, Donald cleared his throat, hoping to take her attention off of Rose, who was beginning to look flustered once again. He knew it was best to keep another confrontation from happening before Jack really did throw them out.
"Rose was just making breakfast, mother. I had just woken up and came in."
Edith arched a brow, still suspicious. "Is that so? Well, I find it inappropriate for a married woman to be in the room alone with a single young man. Especially in her condition. Making breakfast for Donald and Jack is my job anyway..."
"Making Jack breakfast is my job and that is what I am doing," Rose was beyond annoyed. She had tried to be patient with this woman, but her patience has worn out! The thought of her being inappropriate with another man was absurd to her! Donald was nice and everything, but he was not Jack! No one could ever compare to Jack and as for breakfast… "Jack is my husband, and it is my place to make him breakfast, not yours!"
"What is going on here?" William entered the room. He had just gotten through helping Jack out of bed and rolling him onto the porch to watch the morning sunrise, hoping that it would cheer him up when he heard voices from the kitchen.
"Oh, it's the same old thing. I'm being inappropriate and can't cook my own husband breakfast," Rose glared at Edith. Really, who did this woman think she was? Rose had spent years handling the queen of ice, Ruth Dewitt Bukater! She was not going to be intimidated by someone that paled in comparison.
"I was only saying..."
"I know what you were saying and you are wrong and absolutely absurd!" Rose interrupted letting out a weary breath as she felt the baby move, not for the first time that morning. She placed a hand on her belly and leaned against the wall a little, feeling tired. She was so ready to have this baby.
William frowned, not liking how pale Rose seemed. "Rose, Jack is on the porch watching the sunrise. Why don't you go out and join him? I think you may need a break." Not to mention, Jack seemed to know how to handle Rose after these confrontations with his aunt.
Rose frowned, wondering why William was trying to get rid of her, then she sighed and slumped her shoulders, giving in. There was no use arguing to stay and finish her task. She was now already exhausted and the stress was not good for the baby. Plus, Jack was out there. The idea of some alone time with him was irresistible. "Fine. But things are going to change around here or someone will have to go and it won't be me."
"Fair enough," William nodded in agreement and stepped aside as Rose left the room. He then turned to Edith, who was now placing a kettle on the stove for tea. "If I was you, I'd watch my step. Jack is already looking for an excuse to kick you out. Causing Rose undue anxiety will be just the excuse he'd need."
Donald chewed on his bottom lip as he watched William leave the room.
"The nerve of that boy!" Edith angrily huffed as she took a teacup out of the cupboard. "He acts like he owns this house and that this is his family. I have news for him..."
"He has a point, mother," Donald interrupted, not in the mood to listen to yet another of his mother's rants. "This is Jack's house. Rose is his wife. She has been very kind to me. Not to mention, she's having a baby and is already worried about Jack. So just go easy on her. William...for once he's right. Jack will not stand for you making life any harder on her than it already is and seeing that we have nowhere else to go...let's just get along. Okay?"
…..
Jack didn't hear Rose come out onto the porch. All of his attention was centered on the rising sun and the colors that swelled around the golden globe as it made its appearance. It was the scent of her perfume that alerted him to her presence.
"William told me you were out here," Rose stood next to him, her eyes on the horizon. If she looked at him, he'll see how tense she was and she didn't want to worry him or make him upset.
"I wanted to watch the sunrise. I thought that it might inspire me again. I haven't felt like drawing since the accident."
"Did it work?"
"No. Not really," Jack frowned as he kept his eyes on Rose. Something was wrong. Her body language was off. "You're tense about something. What's wrong?"
Rose hesitated in her answer. She did not want to tell him about the confrontation with his aunt. Not that she wanted to protect the woman in any way, but she knew that Jack would be angry if he knew and may do something he may regret one day. But she had to tell him something. Maybe a half-truth wouldn't hurt. Besides, Edith Dawson wasn't the only reason she felt so stressed right now.
"It's the baby. I think I had lost track of my due date and I'm due to give birth any day now, not that I mind. I'm so sick of being pregnant. Everything hurts and I feel like a whale. A great big whale. Not to mention, mother is still not back and I was hoping..."
Feeling bad for his wife, he took her hand and pulled her down onto his lap and held her close. "What were you hoping for, Rose?"
"I was hoping that she'd be here for the birth. I...I'm scared Jack. I never did this before, but she has and...I guess I just want my mother right now and she's not here. God, normally I'd be glad that she was far away, but now I want her here!" Hot tears filled her eyes, much to her embarrassment. What was wrong with her? Jack must think she was the baby, with the way she was carrying on.
Jack tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head. He felt so bad for Rose. He had no idea that she felt like this or for how long. He inwardly cursed himself for drowning in his own self-pity while his wife was struggling with fears of her own. He was going to have to do better.
"It's ok to be scared, Rose. It's also okay to want your mother here for the birth. I understand."
Rose sniffed and rested her head against his shoulder. She placed her hand on her stomach as she felt the baby move around inside. "I don't even know when it'll be time. With everything that's happened...I had completely lost track of time. I do think it'll be soon. It's been so active lately..."
Jack placed a hand on her belly as well, curious if he'd feel the baby move as well. "We'll send William for the doctor and have him examine you. We'll at least get some idea of when she'll come." He gasped as he felt movement under his hand. "Wow...it still amazes me. There's an actual little person in there...a person that we made!"
Rose felt her heart beat a little faster at Jack's smile. It was the first real, genuine smile that had appeared since the accident and it was their baby that brought it back. It was the most beautiful smile that she had ever seen. "I hope she has your smile."
"I love you, Rose," Jack gently touched her cheek, feeling truly inspired by the woman in his arms and the baby she was to birth soon. "I want to draw you. Both of you...before she comes..."
"Really?"
"Yes...as soon as possible."
Rose giggled. "That can be arranged, Mr. big artiste."
As she sat there in Jack's arms, losing herself in a deep, passionate kiss, Rose felt like everything was going to be okay. She had Jack and their baby. Nothing will ever take them away.