Rose doesn't think she's been this stressed possibly since having Josephine. Its a Wednesday, and with cold rainy weather outside mixing with snow , it seems the entire town has decided to descend upon the diner for a warm meal, because they are rarely ever this busy. That, or they're all just there to gossip and speculate about her and Jack's sudden reappearance, and she suspects its the latter. She has been catching whispers all week, and with the way tables go quiet as she passes by and eyes seem to follow her, she is getting a little unnerved and irritated. It's already late in the day for the lunch crowd- nearing three o'clock, and almost time for her to pick Josephine up from school, and she still has six full tables. At the very least, she'll get good pay for the day if everyone tips as they should, but by this time she is usually cleaned up and on her break.

Catching Miranda in the kitchen as she prepares to run more food to the dining room, she mentions the time. "I'll be having to go collect Jo pretty soon here. I've never seen it so busy in the middle of the week."

"I know. I'm glad William is at an age to walk home himself. If you'd like I can ring over to the school and have Josephine come with him? I don't think either of us will be getting out of this mess anytime soon."

Rose is apprehensive, but nods. While Josephine had never walked home alone before, she had gone with William or her friend Sophie to the general store and back on occasion, and Will would look out for her. "Alright. As long as they come straight here. Some of the children have been picking on her lately, and I don't want anything to happen."

Rose can tell when she drops the food in her hands off that the table is displeased with waiting, having seen her in conversation through the window to the kitchen, but at this point fake pleasantries with the town gossips are beyond her, and she fetches them some drink re-fills without a word, and goes back to trying to hear a bit of what people are saying when she walks away.

— "She's a liar. He's not dead! I bet she came here just to get his family's money and property!"

"No, no, she's never claimed any of the money. I have that on authority with Mr. Willshire down at the bank. And have you seen the place? Its like it hasn't been touched. The yard is overgrown." —

— "I heard she was running away from another marriage. She was pregnant after all, and no one can deny that child looks like a Dawson. But the way she walks and talks- she must be from money. My guess is that Jack Dawson got her pregnant by accident and then didn't want to do his duty as a father, so shipped her off here. He always was a little tramp." —

— "If they really are married, you'd expect them to step out together. It's Jack's house, so why is he staying at an Inn? I bet he didn't even know she was here. Or else there are problems between them.

"Well, I heard form Carol who's friends with the Innkeepers that he never returned to sleep two nights this week, and then spent the whole next days in his room. If he's not staying over at that house, then where was he? What kind of man leaves a wife and child for ten whole years?"

"Well, he was in the war, Eva. He served for our country, that should account for something."

"Not for the six years before that, if you ask me." —

Rose is keeping her head down, clearing plates and handing out checks as best as she can without losing her temper. It's one thing for people to gossip about her— they've been doing that for years, but to talk ill of Jack when he's done nothing wrong… Its becoming clear that people are there to just to gossip and try to get a reaction from her or gain something else to talk about, and she's not about to give them that satisfaction. She supposes that with as small as the town is, they're all bored and happy to have something new to talk about other than the weather and the scandalous jazz band that had taken to playing in Chippewa Falls as well as Eau Claire, bringing outlawed liquor with it. Right about now Rose could use a drink, and she is certainly tired of being the center of attention.

When Josephine comes in through the front, right on William's heels, Rose greets her with a tight hug and a quick kiss to the forehead. "Hello baby. I'm sorry I wasn't there to meet you. We've been unexpectedly busy today." Rose motions around the still half full dining room, thankful that things are starting to quiet down as other parents head out to meet their children, or home to start thinking about supper or do whatever else. She doesn't want Josephine to hear any of what they have to say about herself and Jack, if she can help it.

"That's okay, Mama. Maybe I can walk with Will more often and save you a trip." Josephine is looking at her earnestly, but Rose isn't sure that she's not up to something. She shrugs it off for now.

"We'll talk about it later, darling. Why don't you go have a snack and start on your homework in the kitchen while I finish up."

Its past five when they finally get the place cleared out and closed. Its the longest shift that Rose thinks she's ever worked, and they're still not done. There's an awful mess in the dining room and the kitchen. Knowing that it would be dinner time before they got the place fixed up without help, Miranda and Rose both agree to pay their kids a full dollar each to help sweep up and wipe tables as they tackle the dishes in the back, and the kids are more than happy to oblige with the enticement.

Rose is stood at the sink, sorting through the dishes when Miranda speaks up.

"I know today must have been rough for you, Rose, and I'm sorry for it. The town always reacts like this when anything out of the usual happens. They'll quiet down soon. You remember what it was like when you first arrived."

"I remember," says Rose, "but I was a stranger then. These people have known me for a decade now, and I hadn't realized how much bad judgement had been passed. I'm not naive. I know how it all looks, but truthfully, I did think him to be gone. Except for not having really been married, I never lied. And we would have been married, I believe that."

"I know that, love. You don't have to convince me. I've seen the way that boy's eyes light up when he talks about you. Its just hard for the rest of the town to believe, and after the way that Jack disappeared after the accident, a lot of people around here felt they were being snubbed in spite of their kindness to him. This town loved his family, and they just didn't understand Jack's need to get away."

"I guess its hard not to be so narrow minded when you live your whole life within a five mile radius," Rose gripes, tossing a fork into the sudsy water with a splash, before realizing that her boss and friend fell into that category as well. "Sorry," she says, looking up sheepishly. "I didn't mean…"

"It's alright. I know you didn't mean me. And I assure you, Rose, I never had any intention of staying here forever, but I met Allen, and like you with Jack, I fell in love. We made a life here, and when he died… and with Will being born, well, I couldn't just leave. Besides, I like it here at the diner. How many women in our day and age can say they manage their own business? Hell, we've only had the vote for two years. I'm a rebel in my own right, eh?" she nudges Rose with a soapy glove, earning a smile. "Things will calm down. You'll see. In the mean time, I think you need to get everything sorted out with Jack. He really can't stay in that Inn forever without being driven mad by townsfolk or running out of money, so I think you ought to talk with him about his living situation if you know what I mean. Why don't you take a week or two off and get everything figured out? You deserve a vacation."

"Can you afford that?" Rose asks, eyebrows raised.

"Honey, somehow I don't think it will be quite as busy in here if you're not around, and I got along fine on my own for years. I love having you here, but I'll manage for a bit. You just get everything sorted while things quiet down in town, and I'll expect to see you back here happier than ever."

— — —

It is much later than usual when Rose and Josephine return to the house. They had stayed for dinner with the Richardsons, and neither had expected to return home well after dark to find Jack sitting on the front porch smoking a cigarette. Its all the better though, as Rose had wanted to speak with him anyway.

He stands upon seeing them and gives Rose's hand a kiss, which makes Josephine giggle.

"Jack, what are you doing here? I didn't think I'd be seeing you until tomorrow."

"I wanted to see you," he says, refraining from placing a hand on her arm like he wants to. "I didn't think it would be so late… I, uh, I can come back tomorrow if you'd prefer." Jack hates that he feels so unsure of everything right now. He's been here nearly a week now, and aside from those first two days, he has barely seen Rose. As much as he knows they need to take things slow, they've barely had more than a short conversation alone since that first morning. He had also gotten some information that day that he felt the need to share with her.

"No!" Says Rose, perhaps a little too quickly. "I'm sorry. Please, come in. We hadn't planned to be so late. It was just an extraordinarily busy day at the diner, and then we ended up staying there for dinner."

"I saw how busy it was this morning," he says, leaning on the porch railing to take the weight from his leg as he turns to follow the two women through the door. "I was going to stop in and say hello, but with the crowd I thought I'd better not."

"Its probably for the better," Rose says, and he sees an emotion he can't place pass over her features. He wonders if she's been hearing the gossip as well but thinks better of asking right away and changes the subject.

"So, Miss Josephine," he says, watching as his daughter kicks her shoes off and places them by the door. Her long hair is down and messy, and she looks very tired. "I was in town hall today and I saw you walk past with William Richardson carrying a big old canvas under your arm. Are you working on a painting?"

He had been told all about Josephine's interest in art, and was curious to see her work, when the young girl felt up to it.

Josephine blushes and nods.

"Jo?" Rose questions, "I didn't see you carry in a canvas. When did you start painting, darling?"

"In school. It was supposed to be a surprise, Mama. Will has been hiding it in his room for me until its ready."

Jack covers his mouth looking apologetic. "Oh! I didn't mean to spoil a surprise, Josephine. I'm sorry."

She looks between him and her mother and gives a shrug. "That's okay. Mama was gonna find out anyway. I still won't let you see it until its done."

"That's quite alright, Jo," Rose responds, wrapping an arm around the girl. "Does this have anything to do with why you wanted to walk home with Will more often? So you could keep the painting a secret?"

She nods, her red-blond hair falling into her eyes where its smoothed back out by her mother. "Well, how about I begin meeting you every other day and you can either walk here or the diner if Will is able to escort you. You're nearly ten years old, darling. I guess its about time I let you have a bit more freedom around here, huh?"

The smile that greets the both of them can only be described as radiant as the child thanks and hugs her mother tightly. "As long as you continue being the good girl I know you are, I don't have a problem with it," says Rose. "Now, why don't you go have your bath and get into bed while Jack and I talk?"

The girl nods, and hugs her mother again. "Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight Mr. Jack." Jack gives her a smile and a little wave, saying goodnight as well, and watches the young girl run up the stairs.

"You're so good with her, Rose," he says as he follows her into the sitting room, watching as she turns on a few more lamps and sets about lighting a fire. "Here, let me take care of that." He takes the matches from her hand and has the kindling lit in short time.

"I'm perfectly capable of managing, Jack, but thank you," she says, removing her coat and sitting down on the couch with a sigh, dropping her bag to the floor.

"I know you are," he says, before blowing on the embers some more. "I just like to feel useful." Once the fire is roaring away happily he takes off his coat as well, joining her. She's leaning back, eyes closed. She looks tired as well, he notes, and he studies her face while she's not looking. Her complexion is still very fair, but she has a smattering of freckles over her nose that hadn't been there before. She's also forming faint laugh lines in the corners of her mouth and eyes. They have both been through a lot before the age of thirty and it was starting to show prematurely. Her hair, still as fiery as ever is beginning to escape from the bun she's had it in all day, and pieces are coming undone to frame her face. He wishes he had pencil and paper on him to capture the way she looks just now, but if he's honest with himself, he would like to capture every move she ever makes.

"What did you want to talk with me about?" She asks, opening her eyes to catch him staring.

"I had a meeting with Mr. Murphy today."

"Oh?" she asks, pulling her knees up under her and turning towards Jack to listen.

"Well, more like he asked to speak with me. He wanted to talk about my father's will, and the family assets."

"The house," Rose says, nodding.

Jack shakes his head. "The house, yes, but apparently there are also titles to Pa's carpentry business, deeds to several acres of land back here, some stock and bond investments, and several bank accounts. I had no idea when I left that any of that existed. They never told me. Mr. Murphy says its because I was too young. Did you know about any of it?"

Rose shakes her head, and he can tell from her expression that she's surprised as well and somewhat defensive. "No. I mean, I was surprised they even had me move into this house, Jack. I had no clue even about the house when I arrived. I had told them that we were married but that was mostly because I was very obviously pregnant and didn't think they'd accept me here. They assumed I was just here for land or money, and that wasn't the case. Many of them didn't even believe I knew you until after Jo was born and they saw the resemblance. I only first came because I wanted to learn more about you."

Jack reaches forward, placing a hand on her forearm which is resting on the back of the sofa. "Shh, Rose. I know. Its alright. I was just curious. Did they give you any information back then?" He asks, "Anything about accounts or the property?"

She shakes her head. "Just the address and the key and how to get here," she says with a shrug. "I knew that your family had passed. You had told me as much, and Mr. Murphy told me the story, and I learned more about your family and your life from Miranda. I had never thought there was anything left, from the way you made it sound. I guess you didn't really know either. I was surprised there was a house and that it had been left untouched. I also can't say that I've done that well of a job keeping it up, but I've tried."

"You've done an amazing job, Rose. Granted the yard could use some work," he says with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood, "but we never had electricity or new appliances, and you did that. I don't know why you kept everything looking the same, you didn't have to, but you've definitely kept it in better shape than it would be if it had still been sitting empty." Jack shakes his head, heaving a sigh of his own. "I guess I'm a bit annoyed that they kept you in the dark, even after you told them you're my wife. You would have been the next to inherit. You have a right to it."

Rose shakes her head, frowning. "But I don't, Jack. I told them I was, but I'm not your wife. I feel like I've been living a borrowed life here, and everyone can see right through me. They knew all along I wasn't telling the full truth, and now that you're back here alive its even more apparent." She has tears forming in the corners of her eyes that she attempts to blink back. "Its all I've been hearing anybody say all week. The gossip is driving me mad!"

Jack's hand runs down her forearm until he's grasping her fingers in his. "Well, no-one has any right to question it anymore," he says, sucking in a breath. "Rose I know I should have come to you first, but I was there, and I could do something about it, and I was just so mad that I never knew about any of this… your name has been added to the documents: all of them, and Josephine's name as well, in a living will. If anything happens to me now, or god forbid, you, it will all go to her. I wanted to make sure you were both protected, legally."

"Jack…" Rose is stunned. "Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely, Rose. As long as you're okay with it. Josephine is my daughter, and I love both of you. I want to make sure you're taken care of, and as it turns out, I'm not such a poor guy anymore. I do have something to offer you."

"Jack…"

"The thing is," he continues, cutting her off, eyes locked on hers, trying to read her, "In the eyes of the law, on paper at least, we are married now, legally. I signed to have your name added, and in doing so, technically, on paper, we're married. I hope that's okay. I hope that wasn't the wrong thing for me to do."

Rose nods, tears springing to her eyes again and falling this time. "Yes, that's okay, Jack. Of course its okay. It means our daughter will always have a place to call home, and I can never thank you enough for that. Jack, I have never needed things, or money. You know that. You have never needed to offer me anything. All these years I've only wanted you; for you to be alive and with me, and somehow you are, and I am so happy because of it no matter what this town has to say… and now, to hear you call me your wife, even though we haven't had a proper wedding, or even a proper kiss in ten years… Jack you have no idea how special you are to me."

Listening to her, Jack's face lights up. "We don't need to do anything properly," he says, grinning. "Unless of course you want to."

"I guess our whole relationship has been a bit unorthodox," says Rose, wiping at her eyes with the back of her free hand.

"A bit?" asks Jack with a laugh, reaching to dry her tears with his shirt sleeve. "We met, had a kid, waited ten years, and then got married without really getting married, and I haven't even kissed you since you were seventeen. It's a goddamn tragedy if you ask me."

"We can fix that," she says, giving him a coy smile. She know's he'll give in, and he does too, completely unable to resist anymore.

The kiss is sweet, starting out chaste and growing in passion, and is everything that Jack has been wanting for the past decade. Her lips still fit perfectly with his, just as he remembered, and their mouths move together searching out lost time as his thumb moves to trace her jaw, her fingers threading through his hair. Both of them are completely unaware of the little girl in a nightgown and wet hair creeping silently back up the staircase, a small smile on her face having just witnessed their kiss.