COLLIDE

Chapter Eight

Rose threw herself on her bed and sobbed. It just wasn't fair. She had finally gotten him back. He wasn't dead and now they should be together. But if it wasn't for the baby…wait, that wasn't fair either. It wasn't the baby's fault, she knew that. Maybe she had overreacted, maybe she had made a huge mistake in lying to Jack. At first, it seemed like the only way, but now…she wished he was there to comfort her, to hold her, to tell her everything was alright. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She needed to sleep, she needed her rest. If not for herself, then for the baby.

Before long, she had fallen fast asleep.

The next morning, Rose entered the café to start her shift. She quickly observed that there weren't very many breakfast customers and silently rejoiced for that. She was too tired to even think. Sleep may have come easily the night before, but it was a restless sleep. She had tossed and turned the entire night, probably because she felt too guilty to allow herself to rest peacefully.

Sighing lightly to herself, she headed to her first table and stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw.

Jack sat there, calmly reading the newspaper. Suddenly, as if he sensed her presence, Jack looked up and smiled brightly at her.

She groaned at the sight of him and placed her hand on her hip.

"Good morning, Molly."

"What do you want, Jack?"

Jack frowned. "Is that how you greet your customers?"

"Just you."

"Oh I see. You don't like me anymore?"

Rose rolled her eyes and took out her pad of paper. "What can I get you, Jack?"

"Coffee. Black with no sugar."

Rose nodded, quickly jotting down the order and started to walk away before he stopped her.

"Molly, I'd like to see you again."

Rose quickly shook her head, suddenly very nervous at the present situation. "I don't think so Jack. I thought I had made everything perfectly clear last night."

"Yeah, well maybe I still have some questions I need answered."

"I can't help you."

"You can't or you won't?"

"Jack, don't do this. Why can't you just let me be?"

"Is that what you really want?"

Rose opened her mouth to reply to him but was stopped by Emily's voice: "Rose, table 15 is still waiting."

Rose could only stare at Jack in shock, knowing that her lie was now exposed. Jack, on the other hand, looked up at her with a big smile on his face.

"Rose?" Emily said again.

Rose raised a hand lightly to her stomach, feeling very faint and turned to Emily.

"Emily, can you cover my tables for a moment? I don't feel very well and I'm going to take a quick break."

Rose quickly bolted for the door without even waiting to hear Emily's response. Once she had gotten outside, she headed straight for a bench nearby and sat down. She covered her face with her hands, taking deep breaths, barely noticing the approaching footsteps.

"Rose?"

Her head shot up at the voice and she stared into the sincere blue eyes of the love of her life.

"Jack, I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything. You don't look too good. Are you feeling alright?"

Rose shook her head softly and he sat down next to her on the bench. He rubbed her back soothingly and placed the other softly on her stomach.

"You need to think about the baby."

Tears welled in eyes as she took in his words and his actions. It was his way of telling her that everything was going to be alright. That he wouldn't leave her. That he would take care of her and her baby. And at that moment, she was willing to let him.

"You don't have to do this, Jack."

"Rose…"

"No, Jack. Just listen to me for a second. I promise I won't run away again, I just want to say this. We barely know each other, only a couple days actually. And the fact is, you don't even really know who I am. You don't remember me and you don't remember anything about our relationship. I will completely understand if you walk away from this. I won't blame you and I won't try to find you."

Jack smiled softly and took her hand in his. Rubbing his thumb lightly over her knuckles, he raised it up to his lips and kissed her hand gently.

"You know I knew you were lying the whole time, right?"

Rose groaned and put her head on his shoulder in shame. "I was hoping you didn't. I guess I knew deep down that you would find out sooner or later. I just didn't think it would be the next day."

He laughed softly at her words and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It was a little too convenient, don't ya think?"

"I suppose you're right."

They smiled at each other. Within a matter of seconds, his expression drastically changed and he leaned forward to kiss her gently, then with building intensity. She pulled away before they got too carried away.

"Jack, I have to go back to work."

"Right, and I have to get my coffee."

They laughed and he helped her off the bench. As they started walking towards the café, he stopped her and made look at him.

"My offer still stands, Rose."

Rose froze and her mouth opened slightly at his words.

"What?"

He leaned closer and whispered into her ear: "Marry me, Rose."

She looked at him then smiled brightly. She pulled his face towards hers and kissed him deeply before answering. "Yes, Jack."

Jack's handsome face broke into a huge smile and he spun her around in his arms. "Rose, you don't know how happy you've made me."

"That's good."

They smiled at each other again, then realized that Rose really had to get back to work now. Jack took his place back at his table and this time, was able to watch Rose at work with pride. She was his, or least, she was going to be. He really couldn't be happier. He knew that she would give herself away, and he had been waiting patiently for her to do so. Another thought crept into his mind, causing him to smile. He was going to be a father. He would be the best father he could be. His smile grew even bigger as he thought of the surprise he could give Rose that night. He would take her shopping, first for a wedding ring, then for some things for the baby. He could only imagine her shock when he told her how much money he had been making off of his drawings.

Rose walked over to him, smiling brightly, and delicately poured him his coffee.

"Rose, can I take you out tonight? I have a surprise for you."

She smiled as he reached out to lightly stroke her hand. "Of course, Jack. I can't wait."

"Good, when do you get off?"

"Four."

"Alright. I'll be waiting for you at four."

"You better be." She replied as she walked away. He watched her and couldn't stop himself from smiling. He was so happy he thought he would burst.

A few minutes later, Jack decided to leave to let her work. After saying goodbye to his new fiancée, he walked briskly out the door, whistling softly to himself.

Rose could only shake her head at the man that held her heart and couldn't believe her own good fortune. Wasn't it just a few days ago that she was still mourning him? Now he was here, alive, and had asked her to marry him.

The day progressed like any other, until suddenly, Rose became very nauseous. She felt light-headed and had to grip the edge of the counter for support.

"Rose? Maybe you should sit down." Someone nearby said to her.

But she didn't hear. She felt so weak, so tired. Suddenly, without warning, she felt herself falling, before everything went black.