Titanic - The Heart Goes On By HL Griffiths
(Sequel to The Heart Never Lies)
Chapter Sixteen –"JJ"
31st December 1912
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Rose
The smell of cooking wafted up stairs in the small Dawson Farm house, I was having an early afternoon sleep before one of Auntie's substantial lunches. Getting comfortable was difficult, my stomach had expanded so much in the last few weeks and made sleeping not easy. Jack spent a lot of time following me around and making sure I rested and acting just like an expectant father. It made me laugh!
Even Jack was looking not as slim as he had been due to Auntie's meals. Christmas day she had made a feast fit for a king but I could not eat much.
Events since April had been crowding my head. Thinking of my Mother who was doing tireless charity work and was helping people less fortunate than us, she was due to visit in the New Year with Molly Brown too.
Sometimes I felt like I was living in a dream and was waiting for the bubble to burst. Cal had nearly done that but for Jack and Gerard's quick thinking.
Ironically, it was the necklace that had distracted Cal, he had been so busy trying to grab it Jack had time to punch his lights out.
The necklace and all our money now safely in a cash deposit box at the bank! I considered the necklace payment for Cals behavior.
Jack and our love was everything I could ever want or desire!
Jack if sensing my thoughts had raised a glass and proposed a toast to "All the lost souls of Titanic – may they rest in peace" as we all echoed "Rest in peace" Jack said in a small strained voice "We were nearly lost our own souls, we escaped by the skin of our teeth" then to me he said
"We are so lucky Rose; we have so much when others lost everything. If someone had told me that when I won that hand of poker for the tickets that I would meet my future wife and we would be having a child by the close of the year I would have said they were mad"
Aunty said, "You and Rose are lucky to have found each other, you are well suited and the baby will compliment our family. Jacks parents would have so proud of you both. Rose is a lovely girl"
Tears formed in Jacks eyes as Aunties kind words "Thank you" he whispered.
Now lying with thoughts running through my head I tried not to think of the coming baby. I really had no idea of what to expect of the labour, and even when Aunty discreetly explained to me the process, I was shocked they did not teach you things like that in finishing school!
Jack came quietly into the room with a mug of broth for me.
"Rose" he said in a caring tone. "I have brought you some broth, but I also need to speak to you"
I opened my eyes and struggled to a sitting position. Jack set the mug down and put a pillow behind me.
"You look really uncomfortable, how's the baby?" he asked sitting down next to me and taking my hand and kissing it as he had on the grand staircase of Titanic.
"I have always wanted to do that" he joked "Saw it in a movie the once!"
I laughed and punched his arm lightly. "You joker" I quipped then spoke more seriously "Baby is very low down now, just want it out now, I have a dull ache starting too"
Jacks eyes clouded with worry "I am scared" he said in a small voice, his hand still in mine. "I'll send Aunty up in a minute"
"We'll be fine Jack to have anything else, Aunty will be around and the midwife" I said reassuringly but inside I was apprehensive.
Jack squeezed my hand and then released it; I picked up the broth and sipped it as he pulled a letter from his pocket.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It's from Gerard" he replied tersely and frowned "Not good news for Cal"
"Spill Dawson what's gives?" I demanded ignoring the worsening aching feeling
"He says that Cal had been cleared of all charges and has been allowed to return to the family home now he doesn't have to stay with friends according to his bail conditions"
We looked at each other. Jack looked peeved. "He got off because Daddy brought the authorities off. Poor Gerard was livid and has been arguing with the father about it
"Wow" I said, "Not surprised about Cal wriggling out of it" I said in a matter of fact way "Daddy is a powerful man. I just want Cal to keep away from us. Fancy Gerard standing up to Nathan, he's not as man to cross" I frowned as I recalled Nathan Hockley.
Dark haired and eyed like Cal but he had such a presence and a loud imposing voice. He had scared mother rigid and people acquiesced to him and tiptoed round him. He was a man born to be a leader and be ruthless too. Having cheated my Father of all we had proved that. Just because Cal had wanted me and to make certain of me becoming Cals wife. What a twisted family the Hockley's were!
Jack grinned suddenly, his smile lighting up his boyish face like a light bulb. "Well Gerard had some good news too, well not for Cal anyway. His father had forbidden him to contact us and is planning on marrying him off ASAP and will restore his fortune then apparently Cal is not impressed but has agreed as he wants to get his money"
I returned Jacks smile then grimaced as pain shot through my belly. Jack grabbed the cup off me.
"Rose?" he asked anxiously.
"Just a twinge" I faked "What else did Gerard say?"
"He said that Emily is playing it cool and has been indisposed and he hasn't seen her and is very concerned. In fact, he said that her Father had requested a family meeting. Very strange" Jack told me
I sighed aloud, the dull ache was worsening.
"Poor Gerard, being a Hockley, I'd rather be a Dawson any day Owwwch" I said breathlessly "Owwwch Jack"
"Rose?" he said again in confusion as I held my stomach and groaned.
"Talking of Dawson's," I said through gritted teeth. "I think baby Dawson is on the way, get Aunty to get the midwife"
Jack gasped and brought his hand to his mouth. He looked startled "I'm on the way, oh my god, oh my god" he said and leapt to his feet flustered and was off calling loudly for Aunty to hurry. Our baby was coming!
JACK
Perspiration soaked my brow as I knelt down besides Rose who writhed on the bed. Aunty was the other side murmuring words of encouragement. The Midwife Mrs Brown a stout hearty woman at the foot of the bed supervising.
She had tried to eject me from the room to join William waiting in the kitchen below but the moment I had tried to pull away from Roses tenacious grip she howled like banshee and would not let go.
"Come on Mr Dawson" Mrs Brown said efficiently "Go down and wait, a birthing chamber is no place for a man"
Rose had sworn at her and clung to me piteously "Jack, do not go, No, I cannot let you go" Tears fell down her cheeks." He is staying I need him!" she shouted
"Is Mrs Dawson always this determined?" Mrs Brown asked shocked by Rose. Aunty and I smiled at each other
"Yes" we said in unison.
Aunty said to the midwife "You better let Mr Dawson stay, their inseparable, you wont part them"
"Well if it helps Mrs Dawson, she is awful stressed" she replied doubtfully the said to me "If you stay, keep quiet, hold her hand and mop her head, No man should be here really. Mrs Morgan please get hot water and towels"
I nodded and so I stayed.
Rose had her eyes screwed shut and was moaning as each contraction wracked her body. Her fingers dug into mine.
"It hurts, it hurts," she cried. I wiped her hand with a cool cloth. I was terrified. I had never known women went through such pain and it had seemed like hours since it had begun. The morning light was starting to creep in through the window.
"Is it always like this?" I whispered to my Aunt in terror.
What had I done, to place Rose in this situation and to have her go through all this pain. I felt so guilty.
Aunty laughed on seeing my stricken face. Above Roses moans, she replied in a wry tone "Yes it's all normal Jack, not pleasant but something that has to be endured. Your Mother Hope was the same when you were born. There was I holding her hand, poor thing did not have a clue either, guess they don't teach high class ladies the basics" she gave a mirthless laugh
"And you're Father James. Pacing up and down outside like a demented thing. Mind you he tock one step inside the birthing room and nearly fainted clean away, good on you for being here"
Rose wailed loudly interrupting Aunty." I want to push"
"We're getting close" Mrs Brown said and then came over to Rose and said in clear tones "Now Mrs Dawson, on each contraction I want you to bear down and push, you are fully dilated so baby will be here soon" Rose nodded, her hair clinging damply to her red face.
"Jack" Rose said, her nails hurting my hand
"It's ok Rose, Just push when you contract, come on you can do this" I said encouragingly having so much respect for her going through this ordeal to have our child. "I love you, do this for us" I whispered to her. Our eyes met briefly and understanding flashed.
"I'll never let go," I added so only she could hear.
She did not reply, gave a loud anguished cry, and threw her head back.
"Nearly there, nearly there, push Rose, "Aunty yelled "That's it darling"
Rose yelled with agony and it hurt my ears I tried not to look down at the foot of the bed and concentrate on Rose
Then with tiny cross newborn cries, our baby slid into the world.
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ROSE
I lay back gasping my whole body aching. My eyes heavy and tired it felt just like treading water in the frozen cold sea and feeling my limbs become like lead. I heard Jacks exclamations then he was by my side nudging me awake.
"Rose, the baby is here, the baby is here" he garbled excitedly. I was too tired to speak. I could hear cooing and arrhing over the baby by Aunty.
"It's a girl" Aunty called to me." A healthy girl"
Jack hugged me. "We did it" he said triumphantly "I am a dad!"
I struggled to stay awake. Aunty on seeing my state handed the baby now wrapped in blankets to the midwife who said she would check her over.
"Jack" Aunty said, "Come on now lets us sort Rose out, you can come back in a moment, go and Tell William all is well and you have a daughter"
Jack kissed me then left grinning that he had a daughter.
Aunty and the midwife sorted me out and put in a clean nightshift and tucked me in clean sheets
"First birth is always rough Mrs Dawson" she told me "The baby is healthy and a good weight and has a good set of lungs, a right feisty one!"
The Midwife picked up the now whimpering bundle out of the crib and passed her to me propped up in bed with pillows and then excused herself from the room
I looked down tenderly at the crinkled up tiny mewling baby.
She had blonde fuzz on her head and then she opened her eyes, yawned, and revealed bright big sky blue eyes. Jacks eyes. My heart stirred. This baby was mine, ours, conceived in the last terrible hours of Titanic. Here safe and well. A miracle!
Aunty peeped over and chuckled, her blue eyes like Jacks twinkled. "Oh my, the mite is a Dawson," she exclaimed "but with your mouth Rose"
Jack crept back in the room muttering no one would keep him from us.
"It's a girl" I said and passed her over to him. Jacks beautiful eyes widened in shock and he held the baby clumsily.
"Is she alright? Are you alright?" he asked. "Oh she is so cute" he whispered to the baby "My you are a princess, my little princess" totally immersed in her. The baby regarded him with solemn but intelligent blue eyes just like his own!
"Hey I am fine" I said amused "Battered and bruised but fine" Jack did not really hear me.
Aunty winked and me and said, "I think someone has been hooked"
Jack smiled dreamily at me, happiness spilling out of his eyes.
Aunty said she would give us a minute.
Jack sat on the edge of the bed looking adoringly at our new daughter and then looked at me.
"Thank you my Rose" he said softly, tenderly "For our little Princess, you both are my world"
"Anything for you" I replied feebly exhausted. "She is so sweet and little"
Together we gazed in raptures at the baby. Two proud new parents
"I don't know what we would have done without your Aunt Janette" I mused grateful for all the love and attention.
Jack suddenly burst out
"I know, she can be Janna after Aunty and Josephine for the song"
"Janna-Josephine" I said thinking aloud "A bit of a mouthful Jack?"
"JJ" Jack replied, "It suits her, JJ Dawson!"
Therefore, she became JJ. Our tiny baby daughter of whoem we were so pleased and proud.