Chapter Forty-Five
February 13th, 1914
New York City, New York
Jack heard the front door open downstairs and then heard the shuffling of Rose with grocery bags. After a few moments, he heard her heels clunk up the steps. Jack was sitting on the floor of one of their empty rooms, the window open to allow a soft draft in. Rose appeared in the doorway, leaning against it with a soft grin.
"How's it going?" She asked, looking to the variety of wood pieces surrounding Jack. He looked up from using a screw driver to connect two peices by a bracket.
Jack paused, lowering his screw driver, "It's comin'... As you can see I haven't gotten very far. They don't make this very clear."
Rose smiled wider, coming into the room fully now, "Here, let me help. Two sets of hands are better than one," She eased herself onto the ground and grabbed hold of the two pieces Jack was putting together. He then reached for a sanded railing, inserting it into a hole. It became clear he was working on the bars and frame for the crib.
"So, I was thinkin'..." Jack mumbled as he grabbed another railing and fit it into it's spot while Rose held it steady. He reached for his screwdriver and shimmied on the floor to begin attaching the next bracket at the other end, "We should paint the room for the baby. What color do you want?"
Rose glanced around the room for a moment, feeling a tingly excitement run through her, "I'm not sure. It's almost hard to pick one without knowing if it will be a girl or a boy."
"Well, we can do something neutral," Jack told her, rounding the screw into the frame with ease, "Like a light green, a yellow, maybe even a light orange."
"It's just crazy to think..." Rose paused, tightening her grip on the crib, "Soon enough, we're going to have a baby. Some days, I still wonder how something like this could be happening."
"Well, I have a theory as to why," Jack grinned, still focusing on his task.
Rose laughed lightly, "You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I get it," Jack replied, lowering his screwdriver and testing the tightness, "Weird to think we accidentally created a whole other life."
"I wonder what this world has in store for the baby," Rose said, "I hope nothing can stop them from getting what they want. I certainly don't want to stand in their way."
"You'll do nothing but hold them up, I know it," Jack told her, "I know you'll be a good mother. Whether it be a boy or a girl, it doesn't matter, we'll spoil the hell out of them and nurture all of their interests. The first step is just getting everything ready for them."
"Right," Rose nodded, again looking around the empty space, "We are missing quite a bit."
"But we still have plenty of time," Jack assured her, lining the next part of the frame up to attach to the bracket, "I have no doubt we'll be fully prepared when the time comes. At least you got the sleeping arrangements taken care of."
"I'll leave the color of the room up to you," Rose said, "You should have complete creative control over what it looks like."
Jack grinned, "Have you been thinkin' of any names?"
"Oh, goodness, no," Rose giggled, "The name has been the least of my concerns!"
"Well, I think having something to call them is important," Jack chuckled, finishing the screw.
"What have you brainstormed?" Rose asked.
"It's kind of dumb," Jack shrugged, "But I thought if it was a boy, we could name him after my father: James."
Rose smiled, brushing a curl from her face, "James Dawson. I like it. If it's a boy, we'll name him that."
"And if it's a girl?"
"Well, let's just hope it's a boy since we already covered that base," The couple shared a laugh that resounded out the window of the empty soon-to-be nursery.
...
They eventually decided to take a break from building the crib. Rose disappeared into the office to sit down and focus on writing. Jack went out to run errands. There were a few things he knew they needed at the studio and he also had the important task of buying Rose a birthday present. He didn't mean to wait so late to buy it, but life had gotten in the way.
He swung by an art supplies shop first that wasn't far from home. He dawdled in the paint brush section, taking his time to relish in touching all the bristles. He loved shopping for paint brushes, even when he didn't need any. He also took a spin down the paint aisle, examining every can that he passed. Jack paused when he came across a lime green. Slowly, he tilted the paint can in his hands, looking at the green smudge on the label. He decided to buy it on the off-chance he could use it for the baby's room. He liked the warmness of the color.
After that, Jack spent some time window shopping downtown. He looked at dresses and shoes, but shook his head in dismay at all of them. He considered buying Rose a purse, but he decided that was not good enough. He sighed as he meandered down the sidewalk, What's good enough for Rose? She's put up with so much, overcome so many things... what on earth could I possibly buy her? He took a moment to pause, inspecting some gloves and hats with large feathers. He heaved another sigh, however, when again, he thought none of it was good enough.
A few blocks up, Jack eventually came across a jewelery store. He inspected the glinting pieces in the window, shuffling his feet back and forth. He decided he couldn't buy another necklace since he had just purchased one for her. She wore it everyday. But he paused when he saw the rings radiating in the afternoon light.
Why wasn't that obvious to me the entire time? He thought to himself as he leaned in closer to the display, bonking his head against the window, I should have married her four months ago. Well, actually... years ago...
Jack entered the store. It was realtively quiet with the gentle crooning of a jazz radio behind the counter. A man in a crisp tuxedo was sitting on a stool behind a glass display, shining a set of rings he had set out before him. When he saw Jack, he grinned and set the rings out of sight. He stood and straightened his jacket, "Hello, sir. Welcome to Evan's Jewelry."
Jack smiled politely in response and began scanning through the cases. He set his previous purchases down to really focus. The man walked behind the row of brightly lit displays and stopped in front of Jack, "Shopping for a Valentine's Day gift today, sir?"
"Well, sort of," Jack laughed lightly, "Her birthday is on Valentine's Day, too."
"Oh, a two for one," The man grinned, "Anything in particular you were looking for? Necklace? Charm bracelet?"
"An engagement ring," Jack replied.
"Ah, down here you will find our signature collection made in-house. Designed strictly with proposal in mind," The clerk guided Jack to a corner display, "We offer many different cuts to the diamonds, as well. Personalization, too, if you desire."
"What's a good buy on a budget?" Jack asked.
"Mmm, I'd say everything on this side is good for the money," The clerk replied, hovering his hand over the display. Jack leaned in, inspecting the rings, and stopped when one caught his eye. The ring had a simple gold band. As the gold band reached the princess cut diamond, they were cut to resemble ivy leaves nestling around the base of the jewel. It was simple, but perfect. It wasn't too big nor was it too small. He could just imagine it on her slender fingers. Not too noticeable, but awe-worthy when caught just right in the sunlight.
"That one," Jack said, "I really like that one."
"Excellent choice," The clerk reached into the display and held it up for Jack, "We call this our Garden Ring."
"Oh, that's perfect," Jack grinned, "How much is it?"
"Seventy-five dollars."
It was still a little steep for Jack, but he decided it was worth it. He immediately fished into his pocket without a second thought and began counting his bills out.
"Would you like a free engraving on the inside? Maybe a date, a name? Something meaningful? We can do it for you right now. It shouldn't take any longer than about half an hour," The clerk asked. Jack set the money on the counter and the clerk handed him the ring to further inspect.
"Sure," Jack grinned, lowering the ring from his eyes, "I know just what I want it to say."