Chapter 35: Safe With Me

March 7th, 1914

The next morning Jack, Rose, Jewel, and Jade made their way to next door. Ruth, William and Meredith had called a family meeting. It was being held at Meredith's house because most of the family was already there. They were already gathering to celebrate Jewel's first birthday, but yesterday's events had to be discussed.

"I can take Jewel and put her in the crib with Lily." Ruth suggested that the children be in the next room so they could keep an eye on them and still have their meeting. Rose held Jewel passed Jewel over to her mother. She wished her granddaughter a happy birthday and said they will have fun later today.

"It seems that Mr. Lovejoy has notified Mr. Hockley that we are in Chippewa falls." William started off the family gathering. Rose put some more breakfast on her plate as they all continued to talk about the events of the previous day.

"Lovejoy has been coming to the bakery a lot since last year around this time." Jade added making it known that they have found out where they are. Rose spoke up after finishing her breakfast.

"It works in our favor that he doesn't know exactly where we live though. They are getting close though." Rose warned everyone just how close they were to being discovered. She and Jade were very close to being followed home yesterday. Fortunately, they knew that the men weren't just regular customers, and that Rose actually worked at the bakery.

"How are we going to handle this situation then? We cannot stay in our homes forever. We will eventually have to get out to go to the market to get food." Ruth addressed the one flaw in the plan that they had all agreed on.

"I know Fabrizio and I aren't married yet, but I can say my name is Jemma De Rossi when asked if they happen to approach me." Jemma went on about how she could do the shopping for all of the family.

"Jemma, I feel like that puts a lot of stress on you." Rose and Ruth protested.

"Helping my family is not stressful." Jemma replied as she went to make herself another mug of coffee. Rose wished she could have a few mugs herself, but too much caffeine was not good for the baby. The others agreed with Jemma, helping family is not a burden at all.

"I don't think Hockley and Lovejoy are familiar with me or Jannette." Josephine added hoping that she and her sister can help too. It was at this point that Jade realized that she couldn't just keep the bakery closed until these men went away for good.

"You two can alternate days helping me at the bakery, and whoever isn't can run the pawn shop. Maybe Rose can help out there during the day?" Jade suggested hoping she was able to help make things easier as well.

"I like that idea." Rose agreed with Jade. Ruth, William, Jemma, Meredith, Johanna and Jack were about to protest but the other two Dawson sisters came to her defense. They promised that Rose was safe with them. Janette also reminded them that Lovejoy had never been to the pawn shop, at least not that she knew of.

"As long as Rose is safe and out of harm's way, I am okay with her getting out of the house to work with you two." Jack spoke up adding to the family discussion. Meredith also suggested that she work part time at the bakery with Jade so that Rose would have Josephine and Janette with her at all times.

"That actually works out perfectly because I told Lovejoy that I have someone that works for me part time." Jade remembered that she did lie to Lovejoy about that. If her mother came into the bakery for a part of the day then it validates what she had told them in a panic.

"Alright let's put this plan into action as soon as possible." William said hoping that this would be the end of the discussion for a while. They put their plates from breakfast in the sink to be washed and began preparing for the rest of the day. Rose made her way to the sink and began to wash the dishes that were there. Josephine took the dishes from her to dry them so that they could get the job done quicker.

Jade offered to make the cakes. She said that she would make a regular cake for the family to share and a smaller one for Jewel to blow out her candle and eat. They wanted to make today special for her in any way that they could.

"So, have you and Fabrizio picked a day for the wedding yet?" Rose asked hoping to lighten the mood in the house. Jemma said that they were wanting to wait until the fall. She was hoping that they wouldn't have it in September.

"I was thinking sometime in September, October, or November." Jemma went on happily about how she couldn't wait to marry Fabrizio. Rose figured they better let everyone know about their second child soon. She didn't want to take away from Jemma and Fabrizio's wedding if they were going to get married in September. She wanted to wait until she was a little further along before telling everyone. She was debating on letting Jemma know and asking her to keep it quiet until they tell everyone.

"That's going to be a fun wedding." Rose added as she stirred the pot again before going to prep something else for today. It was then that Jemma had decided to ask Rose to stand in her wedding and if Jewel could be her flower girl.

"Rose, will you stand by my side for one of the most important days of my life?" Jemma asked hoping Rose would accept.

"Yes I would love to!" Rose went on about how much fun they were going to have planning her wedding. She also asked about Jewel which Rose agreed to. She figured she would ask Ruth about Lily later. At this point Rose decided to let Jemma in on their little secret. "This stays between us, but you will have another little niece or nephew arriving sometime in September." Rose whispered hoping no one else was around. "We wanted to wait until we knew everything was fine before telling everyone." She added as she continued setting up for Jewels birthday celebration.

"Your secret is safe with me." She assured her best friend. Jemma saw Rose as more than just a sister-in-law. Rose knew that Jemma kept her promises. Jemma didn't want to draw attention to the two of them, so she goes back to helping set up. "Jade, how are the cakes coming along?" Jemma called out from the dining room hoping Jade would hear her from the kitchen.

"I have the main cake done and now I'm working on Jewel's little cake." She bragged about her beautifully detailed cakes. Jade felt like Jack wasn't the only one with their Father's artistic ability. Art comes in different forms and her's was decorating beautiful cakes. She wanted her niece's cake to be one of her best ones yet.

"Jade those are beautiful!" Rose reminded Jade that she too was an artist. Jade was another one of the Dawson siblings that was more than just a sister-in-law to her. After checking on everything going on in the kitchen Rose made her way to the other room where her sister and daughter were.

Rose found Ruth taking care of both of the little ones. She then picks up Jewel to see if she needs a change which she did not. Ruth had made sure both of them were changed and fed while everyone was setting up.

"Already taken care of." Ruth replied noticing that Rose was checking to see of Jewel needed a diaper change and a feeding. "All you have to do is put her in her new dress." Ruth replied and she attempted to burp Lily.

"Thank you so much." Rose told her mother just how much she appreciated the help with Jewel. She picked up her daughter and went to find the diaper bag with Jewels stuff in it. She pulled out a pretty blue dress that she bought for Jewel to wear today.

"How's my little princess doing?" Jack asked as he joined them. Rose went on about how this little birthday gathering was going to be perfect. Just then there was a knock on the door causing everyone to look towards the door with caution. Jack handed Jewel off to Rose and walked to the door and assures everyone that he will keep them safe if it's an unwanted guest. He looked through the peep hole and sighs in relief and opened the door. It was his best friend of many years and he had his sister with her.

"Ciao!" Fabrizio cheered as he and Seraphina walked through the door. "I do believe someone has a birthday today!" He added as he put a gift down on the table and took his godchild from Jack to hold her for a little while. He sat down with Jewel and gave her the birthday present from him and his sister. He gave her a necklace with an aquamarine pendant on it. "A little jewel for my Jewel." He went on about ho honored he was to be her godfather.

Everyone got to hold Jewel and give her their gift to celebrate her birthday. After Jewel received all of her gifts from her family. They all gathered at the table to put candles on her cake and cut it for everyone to have some. Rose and Jack stood by her highchair and helped her blow out her candles. The little one enjoyed her small cake. She ate some but most of it was all over her face and the chair.

"Happy Birthday Jewel Elizabeth Dawson!" Jack said again as he went on about how he could not believe that it has been a year since she arrived. The entire family was excited and worry-free celebrating Jewel's first birthday. Even if it was just for a short time, they were not thinking about the danger that lurked around the corner, nor did they care at the moment. Right now, they were just focusing on the good. Everyone that was gathered in this house had one another's backs. So when anyone in this family said you are safe with me they meant it.