The Announcement

That fall, there were many changes in the Dawson household. Rose had announced that she was pregnant again and the family was thrilled with the news. Then Jack and Rose realized they weren't going to be able to afford the new baby on the money that they were making. So, Rose gave up the sewing job and took a full time job at the textile factory instead. The boss was hesitant about hiring a pregnant woman, but Rose had received very good reviews at her old job and that convinced the boss to hire her. She would work from seven-thirty in the morning to eight in the evening, it was a very long day, but the job paid more money. The only thing she regretted was having to give up her time with the children. Cora went to Elsie's apartment after school and stayed there until Jack got home from work and Molly went to the daycare at the settlement house and Jack would pick her up there on his way home.

Meanwhile, Ruth and Nathan were planning to announce their engagement. They decided to wait until Thanksgiving to do this. Ruth wasn't sure if she could get her daughter and Cal into the same room after what had happened and when she invited Jack and Rose to Thanksgiving dinner, they were a little apprehensive about agreeing to go. In the end, they agreed only because they didn't like to hold grudges and Nathan told them that Cal had settled down quite a bit in the few months after the incident with Rose.

Rose managed to get Thanksgiving night off from work since her factory closed early for the holiday. She came home looking and feeling utterly exhausted. Luckily, Cora had already gotten Molly ready, so at least Rose wouldn't have her to worry about. So, Rose headed her bedroom to get ready. She found Jack sitting on the bed lacing up his shoes. She smiled, the new suit she had bought him looked good and he looked as handsome as he had that night on the Titanic at the first class party.

" How was work?" he asked

" Same as usual" she said

With that she headed over to her closet to chose the dress that she was going to wear. She knew that none of her dresses were fancy enough to wear to dinner at the Hockley mansion. But they were what she had and she had to make do with them. Suddenly, she saw a dress-sized white box on the bed. She went over to it and opened it and found a note that said: Rose, I was down at Macys and I saw this dress. I thought of you immediately. I hope you like it. – Mom

She removed the wrappings to find a beautiful red dress, that reminded her of the dresses she wore on the Titanic. It was floor length and came with a pair of red shoes that matched the dress.

Meanwhile, Jack, Cora and Molly were waiting patiently for Rose to come out so they could leave. Finally, she emerged from the bedroom looking beautiful. Her red hair was done up in a updo and the dress suited Rose perfectly. Jack couldn't take his eyes off her.

Finally, the family arrived at the Hockley mansion for dinner. They were greeted warmly by Ruth and Nathan, and everyone agreed that Rose looked nice. After dinner had been served, Nathan got up to make his announcement.

" I suppose you all know why we asked you here today " said Nathan

" Because it's Thanksgiving," said Cora

Everyone laughed and then Nathan continued.

" Ruth and I have decided to get married"

Rose looked up in shock and Cal looked like he was about to faint. If his father married Rose's mother then he and Rose would be brother and sister. It was this very fact that had Rose scared and happy at the same time. She had always wanted to have siblings. But Cal as her brother, now that was a scary thought.

" Well, Cal, Rose what do you say?" asked Nathan

" Congratulations" they both said at the same time

Now that the announcement was made, it was time to plan the wedding. It was going to be a very busy time for the Dawson/ Hockley/ Dewitt-Bukater family.