Chapter Twenty One

I walked into the hospital to find Rose watching TV. "Hey," she smiled. "How was work?"

"I wish I didn't have to go," I smiled, sitting in the chair next to her. "I wish I could stay here with you all day."

"Me too," said Rose, giving me a kiss. "But having a baby is expensive."

"I know." I put my hand against her belly. For the first time, I could feel something in there. "How are you feeling? How's the baby?"

"The baby's good," she began. "I, on the other hand, could use another kiss."

"So could I," I whispered as I inched closer, giving her a long and luxurious kiss. "You feel okay?"

"I'm still really sore from the surgery," Rose sighed. "And nauseous."

"I'm sorry," I stroked her porcelain cheek.

"You know what today is?" she asked.

I nodded. "We would've been leaving for our honeymoon."

"I'm so sorry, Jack."

"Why?" I asked. "We'll go on another trip at some point."

Rose leaned against me and closed her eyes. "I had such plans for our wedding night," she whispered.

"Oh yeah?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes," she smiled. "Dinner and… desert."

I looked at her and smiled. "Nothing matters right now except for your health."

She smiled and accepted my kiss on her forehead. Suddenly, Rose screamed in pain. "Ow!" She screamed.

"Rose?" I got up and looked at her. "What hurts?"

She couldn't speak, she couldn't cry, she couldn't even breathe. She just clutched the left side of her abdomen. I picked up the phone and dialed the emergency number. Suddenly, doctors started flooding into the room and getting Rose ready for surgery. They put an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth, and she cried quietly in pain.

A nurse came over to me. "Mr. Dawson, we need you to sign the papers for your wife's surgery."

I nodded. "What's going on?"

"The Fallopian tube ruptured," the nurse explained. "We need to remove the tube in surgery."

"She'll be okay, right?" I asked.

The nurse avoided the question. "Your mother is right outside," she told me. "We'll keep you posted."

My mother rushed into the room as Rose was being wheeled out. "Jack, what happened?"

"The tube ruptured," I cried. "How dangerous is the surgery?"

She pulled up Rose's chart on her tablet. "It's really dangerous."

I clenched my fist and punched the wall. "Damn it!" I shouted in pain.

"Come here," she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm going to lose them both!" I cried.

"You don't know that," she replied. "Try to calm down."

"I have to get out of here," I said coldly. "Text me if anything happens."

"Sure," she nodded, and I stormed away.

I walked aimlessly around the hospital, just trying to relax. Hearing Rose scream in pain that way was incredibly scary. I just wanted her to be okay so badly. I wanted to be at home in our bed with our arms wrapped around each other.

I walked past the chapel. I'd never been a religious person, but I would do anything at this point. I slowly walked in and sat in the front row. I put my head in my hands and rubbed my eyes.

Gabby walked in and sat next to me. "She has to be okay," I choked out. "Sh-she can't die."

"Everything will be okay," said Gabby.

"She's been through so much," I said. "And she has six months left of uncertainty and sickness and pain."

"Rose is strong," Gabby took my hand. "She survived a psycho fiancé, a sinking ship, time traveling, and a car accident. She'll survive this too."

I looked at Gabby and sighed. "Thank you." I looked down at my phone and sighed. "She's out of surgery." I rubbed my eyes and cried.

"Go back to her room," Gabby instructed. "You have to be there when she wakes up."

"I know." I took out the little picture of the ultrasound and handed it to Gabby.

Gabby smiled. "So cute," she said. "And any time you want a babysitter…"

"Gab, I love you, but there's no way I'm trusting you with my baby," I laughed.

"Well, whatever," Gabby smiled. "I'm going to be an aunt."

•••

I got back to Rose's room. She was still unconscious, but she was smiling. I collapsed in the chair next to her and brought my face closer to hers. I inhaled her familiar scent and kissed her soft lips. "I love you," I whispered.

I collapsed back in the chair and sighed. "I love you too," she whispered. She opened her beautiful blue eyes and smiled.

"Oh, thank god," I sighed. I took her hand and kissed it. "I was so worried about you."

"I know," she whispered, giving me a kiss. "Is everything okay?"

"You're both fine," I smiled. "I don't know how much you remember, but the tube ruptured."

"I don't remember anything," she furrowed her eyebrows. "I just wish everything would be okay."

"Me too," I smiled sadly. "But I'm sure everything will be smoother from now on."

Rose smiled. "There's the hopeful guy I know and love."

I laughed quietly, stroking her cheek. "Please just try to… stay with me."

"I'll try my best," Rose smiled. She put her hand against my cheek. "Kiss me."

I sat on the edge of her bed and kissed her, intertwining my fingers in her soft curls. I pulled away a moment later. "Are you okay? Am I hurting you?"

Rose shook her head. "I just wish we could… you know."

I smiled. "I know," I whispered. "That's the least of my concerns."

"Yeah, I know," Rose sighed.

I stroked her cheek. "Listen, here's what's going to happen," I began. "You're going to heal from the surgery, and you're going to be allowed to go home, and everything will be fine, and in six months, we're going to have a baby."

Rose smiled. "I hope you're right."

I grabbed Rose's hand and smiled. "I am."

"Let's talk about something happier," said Rose, her eyes lighting up with hope.

"Okay," I smiled. "So, do you want to find out the gender of the baby or do you want to be surprised?"

Rose nodded. "So much has been a surprise so far. I'm ready to be prepared for something." She smiled as she intertwined her beautiful fingers with mine. "Besides, that way we could set up a room."

"We'll set up a room, we'll baby proof the apartment." I looked up at her. "Oh, and Gabby offered to babysit anytime we want."

"That's so nice of her." Rose looked down, and I could tell something was wrong.

"What is it, Rose?" I asked.

"Now that we're both on board with the pregnancy, I just have to tell you," she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "I'm really scared."

"I know," I began, wiping her tears. "But if today was any indication, everything will be okay."

"If today was any indication?" Rose repeated. "Jack, today was what we were all worried about happening."

"I know," I smiled. "And everything turned out okay."

Rose closed her eyes and squeezed my hand. "You're right."