Chapter four:
The clattering of the breakfast crockery been cleared away did not awaken Rose from her nightmare of a life. Her lips parted as she took a sip of strong coffee, she allowed it to soothe her rumbling tummy but it did nothing. Food was not yet something which she craved.
''It is good to see you up and out of bed, dear.'' Ruth commented low, as Cal eyed Rose sharply. Her mood had not improved at all. The doctor had advised Cal that Rose's melancholy mood would be down to the 'baby blues' and that the 'fog would lift within a few days.' All women would suffer with such a condition after giving birth to a child.
Rose struggled to focus on her Mother's blurred face. Her eyes flashing about to gain some clarity.
''Rose, perhaps you would care for lunch with the-''
''No, thank you.'' Rose sharply exhaled. She was not ready for anything. ''But Mother, I would like you to attend the lunch. I, as you do say, feel much better. I shall read, perhaps take a stroll around the garden for some fresh air.'' She told her, speaking as loud and clearly as she could in order to give out a strict instruction of what the day would be set out like. She would refuse to attend such luncheons for a matter of months; her health came first.
''Very well.''
The small improvement seemed to please Ruth. Her scowl had changed into a less harsh expression and even though every minute or so she eyed up her daughter, she had to admit, she did look better. She had a little colour in her cheeks, her eyes were less red and sullen and occasionally she was smiling. The situation had improved in all areas and once the child was out of the way in the hands of a new and loving family then the Hockley's could get back to the norm. The thought pleased Ruth more than she initially intended.
Cal glanced at Ruth over the top of the morning newspaper. His dark eyes narrowed. Ruth's sharp green eyes met his, her eyebrow raised as she sat opposite him. Rose was completely oblivious, her face almost touching the table.
He needed her to rid herself of these damned stupid feelings. The child was to go away, she had given birth. Yes- the pregnancy had drained her of every ounce of energy but now it was out then she could get back to normal. That was what he had waited with baited breath for. He felt his anger rise from within. Every time he thought of the damned child he remembered that she had been with him. Jack had taken what was his. The nights he had invited her to join him to bed, to allow him to love her and she had insisted that they wait – for the wedding. Yet, she had allowed him to touch her, roam her body like a goddamn whore and for what? To get herself pregnant.
Now he was here, dealing with the pieces which remained to be picked up. Cal realised that his breathe had become ragged as his anger had poured into his fingers as his grip on the newspaper tightening and ripped through the page.
Rose raised her head. Her eyes meeting her fiancé's. Cal watched her. That beautiful, angelic face which was once so perfect to him. She had never been touched, so pure and had no burden but now all that had changed. She had given birth. It had all changed. Yet there was something else which stopped him from tossing her out into the street like trash. Yes, his name would be utter garbage if he did, but then so would hers. Something stopped him. He had feelings deep down, for her, he just didn't know what they were.
''I must go.'' Cal threw his newspaper down on the table before him. ''I have another meeting and then lunch with my father.''
He could almost sense Rose's relief that he would be out of the house for most of the day. ''Will you be home for dinner?'' She asked, quietly.
Cal hesitated. ''Possibly.''
Ruth watched the dynamic between her daughter and Cal. It was strained, forced and dangerous. If Cal's interested slipped then they would be work to do. Lots of work.
''Very well.''
Cal slowly stood from the table before straightening out his attire and running a finger across the top of his head. Yes, he was suitable to leave. A quick glance back to Rose told him that she would be glad for him to be out for the day. He needed something to make her gasp, to show his affection, hers was obviously waning.
A loud bang ensured from the hallway. Rose gasped, Ruth too stood from the table.
''What on Earth?'' Ruth clutched her stomach.
Another bang sounded before the maid's shouts alerted Cal to come quickly.
''Oh, for Heaven's sake.'' He sighed.
''What could that be?'' Rose curved her head out of the dining room door.
Ruth sat back down at the table curtly. ''Really, is it any of our concern. Allow Cal to tend to the matter and let us finish our tea.''
Rose placed her coffee back onto the table before allowing her hands to fall into her lap. Her name was called, faintly. Her eyes darted up. It sounded again. A voice she recognised, shouting her from afar but then closer and closer...it was dream like. Not real at all until...it came very, very clear.
Her Mother's widen eyes told her that she wasn't imagining such a voice. It was real.
''Jack...''
And then he was there. In the hallway of her own home. Cal behind him, dragging him back harshly away from Rose who had not yet risen from her chair for fear of her own imagination. There was a scuffle. Voices raised louder but Rose got to her feet, ignoring all internal pain having gave birth just three days before and she ran to the door as fast and as carefully as she could. Suddenly, the door to the dining room was slammed closed in her face and the voices ceased and then disappeared.
Her Mother was beside her, pulling her back to the table with all of her own strength. Rose was weaker, she knew that.
''Jack.'' She called. She felt the tears come down her face. She had thought she had imagined such a moment but it wasn't in her head at all. She had been so sure he had called her name in the exact same way before just days ago and yet she had even questioned her sanity then.
Her Mother succeeded in pulling her away from the door. She felt almost strapped to the chair as her Mother grasped her arms to her chest, those sharp, clear eyes in front of her.
''I know, Rose. I know everything. I love you.'' Jack called, his voice quivering through the door of the dining rooms. This time the voice was loud and clear. Rose found the strength to break free of her mother's grip but Ruth grasped her wrists, shoving her back to the chair where they had been seated and enjoying breakfast just moments before.
''Rose!'' Ruth harshly took hold of her daughter's cheeks. ''Rose, you focus on me right now. For both you and for the child.''
At the mention of her daughter, Rose stopped fighting her Mother. She sat back in the chair and felt just how out of breath she felt. Someone had stolen the air from her lungs. ''He is alive.'' She whimpered. ''You – did you know?''
Ruth swallowed as she dismissed the question. ''You need to think of yourself, Rose. Think of your child. I know what you want right now and that is out of the question. I was a teenager too, once. Jack Dawson will ruin you even more than he already has.'' Ruth felt her own anger rise. ''You wound up pregnant through both your faults and now that child has to live elsewhere, without a proper family.''
Rose sobbed. Each word hitting her already weakened heart like daggers. Her daughter had been taken from her. A deal which she had made with Cal, upon her discovery of the child's existence.
''Now the mess is almost clean. Cal has done a very good job of that, do not throw this back at him. He is a gentleman, with every intention of marrying you, doing the right thing by you. Jack Dawson does not know how to treat a woman, least of all a woman of your stature.''
Ruth's voice seeped through into Rose's head, into her stomach and her heart but it did nothing. She couldn't comprehend what she was saying but she was too weak to fight back.
Jack landed on the wooden floor of Cal Hockley's study with a thud. His head hit the floor, his elbow cracking beneath him but that didn't deter him. He was back on his feet within seconds, launching himself at Cal who had closed the door behind him, well aware of the situation. He pushed Jack backwards but this time he remained on two feet. The anger in his eyes was on fire, Cal clenched his jaw.
''I suggest you get back right now.''
Jack went for the door. ''You told me she wasn't here. That was bull shit!''
Cal grabbed Jack's shoulders and forced him into the upholstered chair which threatened to buckle beneath the weight of them both squabbling.
''You told me that she wasn't here and you told me that my daughter had been taken away! I saw her!'' He cried, spittle falling out of his mouth. ''I saw her, I held her. I have held her!''
Cal's upper hand was slipping and quickly. Jack's face was red, angry and from that Cal knew just that he had in fact seen the child. Jack knew about his lies. ''Damnit,'' he cursed, turning to eye up the drinks cabinet in his study, ''I just-''. Out of nowhere, Cal lunged Jack in the stomach and immediately he crumbled to the ground feeling the pain. He felt as though he was going to be sick, he struggled to breathe for several seconds and his eyes blurred from the unexpected punch. He gritted his teeth, knowing he would more than likely have a fight on his hands. A fight for Rose. A fight for the truth.
''You can do what you want to me, you can fight me all you like. But I will never, ever stop fighting for her, and for our daughter!''
Cal's shaking, aching fist pulsated. He went to the drinks cabinet and unsteadily poured the first liquor which he came to.
''We had a deal, Dawson.''
''That's shot to hell! I want them!'' He pointed to the door. He realised that Cal was no longer guarding the door. He lunged for the handle and pulled it back quickly, preparing to make a very swift exit. The door was locked.
Cal relaxed as soon as the drink hit his stomach. He swirled the drink around. ''The only way out of here is via a key, a key I hold.'' Cal went into the top drawer of his desk, his eyes lowered to what it contained. There were times when he had considered using this before, times when he had deemed necessary. Perhaps now was one of them, to show just how serious he was. He pulled out a Colt M1911.
Jack's racing heart wasn't seen from the outside. He smiled, knowing this was what would hurt Cal the most; his reputation. Jack shook his head. There wasn't a chance that Cal was going to stop Jack whether he pointed a gun in his face or not.
''You scared this will destroy your reputation? You and that damned family of yours?'' Jack came closer to Cal. He wanted to make him rage, see just what he had in him but instead he stood behind his cowardly gun. Once again.
Cal said nothing. He just raised the gun further to Jack's head, stepping closer.
''Give it to me. Give me the key.''
Cal shrugged. Shaking his head. ''Fight me for it.''
Cal held the gun almost to Jack's skin and he felt Cal's hand wrap around his throat. ''Oh, I will.'' Cal pressed the cold metal to Jack's forehead and he closed his eyes quickly expecting death to come to him within the next few seconds.
Cal tightened the grip around his throat and Jack felt himself choking, he attempted to cough but nothing would come out. He struggled and tried to breath but he physically couldn't.
Cal watched as Jack's face fell redder as he squeezed tighter. Jack felt the life slowly drain from him, his feet almost didn't touch the ground and when he reached out his hands for something to grab but there was nothing within his reach.