Don't own obviously, but I did just watch it on Netflix! Anyways, enjoy!

A New Beginning

Rolling onto my side, I propped myself up on my elbow and looked down upon my husband. We'd yet to turn the lamp down, and though his eyes had already closed I knew he wasn't asleep. "Jack?" I whispered.

"Hmm?" he hummed, raising his eyebrows.

"Jack, please."

He sighed and peeked one eye open, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Yes, Mrs. Dawson?"

"Do you miss it?"

Fully awake now, he frowned. "You're gonna have to be a bit more specific, my love."

"Your life before," I said, idly running my hand along his chest, unable to meet his gaze as I voiced what had been gnawing away at my heart for a while. "The poker games. The women. Air in your lungs and a few sheets of drawing paper, ready to go wherever the wind takes you and capture it all…"

Jack sat up quickly, pulling me with him. His strong hands gripped my shoulders and he dipped his head so as to look me in the eye. "You listen to me, Rose. When I told you winning those tickets was the best thing that ever happened to me, I meant it. I don't miss that life. Not one bit. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Cause you weren't in it," he grinned, dropping a quick kiss on my nose. "I wouldn't trade anything in the world for what we have right here."

"Neither would I," I said, capturing his lips with mine. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, Rose," he smiled, an ornery, wild look coming over him suddenly that made my heart do cartwheels. "Although…"

I giggled. "What? Why are you looking at me that way?"

He leaned back on his hands. "Just thinking. I remember a girl who was going to see the world. Who wanted to spit, smoke, ride elephants, and pursue the stage."

"Yes, well," I stumbled over my words, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "I was just a young girl looking to rid myself of the chains Cal, my mother, and the like had wrapped around me."

He grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Oh I think there was more to it than that."

In spite of myself, I tilted my head just enough to put my nose in the air. "There wasn't."

"You're telling me that you don't want to see the fine gentlemen and ladies' expressions when you spit as far as they pretend their sons don't? When you blow smoke rings the men are jealous they can't? You're telling me you don't wanna know how it feels to ride an elephant? Or to have everyone applauding you, tossing flowers at your feet, after giving a performance on stage?"

I tried not to smile. Honestly, I did. "Perhaps I have a bigger adventure in mind."

He smirked. "Bigger than riding an elephant?"

"I believe so, yes," I grinned in earnest now, shifting so I was sitting on my knees facing him.

"Are you going to tell me?" he laughed, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head.

"No," I replied teasingly. "You must guess."

"Hmmm," he squinted his eyes at me and sucked his bottom lip between his teeth as his thought. "Not an elephant… Did you sign us up for the circus? Are we going to be the new trapeze act?"

I shook my head.

He sat up suddenly, a large grin nearly splitting his face in two. "You got the lead at the theater?"

"Well, no," I said, deflating slightly. I hadn't thought of the theater. I hadn't done too many plays, but it was a fun escape when I could manage to get some time off work. I suspected Jack felt the same whenever he managed to get time off work and come to see the show. I don't know how he managed it, but he always did. Hopefully, he wouldn't be too terribly disappointed. There was a much bigger and better adventure on the horizon for us. "I don't think I'll be doing the theater any more."

"What? Why?" he frowned, now quite serious. "Don't tell me you're quitting to take on more shifts? Rose, we're not that bad off. I won't let you give up the one thing that makes you happy."

"Jack," I laughed lightly, placing my hands on either side of his handsome face and giving him a kiss, "you make me happy. You... and our baby."

For a moment, he was completely speechless. He stared at me with wide eyes, then said, "Our… Our baby?"

I nodded, my cheeks aching I was smiling so hard.

His breath came in quick pants and his eyes filled with tears. "You mean you're… Rose are you…"

I nodded again, something between a laugh and a cry escaping my throat. "I'm expecting, Jack. We're going to have a baby!"

Jack began to laugh and gave a whoop loud enough I'm sure the neighbors heard him. I laughed too as he tackled me in a hug and pinned me to the bed. "Oh, shit! Did I hurt the baby? I'm so stupid, I'm sorry, I…"

I silenced him with a kiss. "It's fine, Jack, it's fine!"

He kissed me again. "Oh Rose," he sighed, brushing his nose against mine.

"Are you happy Jack?" I couldn't help but ask. It was selfish and silly perhaps, but I wanted to hear him say it.

"Happy?" he laughed. "Rose, happy doesn't even begin to describe it. I am over the moon! This is the best thing that ever happened to me!" He rolled over and propped his head up on his elbow, reaching over to stroke my cheek and brush my hair behind my ear. "I love you. I love you so much, Rose." He smiled so sweetly then, my heart felt near to bursting when he reached down and placed his hand over my stomach, stroking it with his thumb. "And I love our baby."

A few tears escaped and rolled down my cheeks. I was happier than I'd ever been in that moment. "We love you too."