FIFTY ONE - WALKS
"Teddy!" Jack called through to the living room "your breakfast is ready pal" he called through to the living room "can you bring Eliza with you please?" Teddy came in to the kitchen a moment later, holding Eliza's hand "thank you" Jack smiled at him and helped him on to his chair, passing him his plate "there you go" he smiled to him "thank you Daddy" he looked up at him "you're welcome" Jack kissed his head then put a plate of toast in front of Rose "here" he said coldly "thank you…" Rose replied awkwardly.
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Once they'd eaten, Jack got Teddy and Eliza dressed for the day. Rose had offered to help but he just the suggestion down immediately. Once dressed the children had gone back in to the living room to play.
Rose watched as Jack washed the dishes "I'm going to head in to town, ask Daisy if she's got a spare room" she said timidly "leaving again?" Jack chuckled to himself and shook his head "what? No" Rose replied "but it's obvious you don't want me here Jack, so I may as well stay somewhere else" "you know what?" Jack put the plate down on the draining board "you're right, I don't want you here, but for some bizarre reason, my children do, the last 3 months you have caused them nothing but abandonment issues and somehow they've managed to forgive you, so I want you to stay for them. If you leave today Rose, no matter where you decide you're going this time, that's it. You and the children will be done. I promise you, you'll never see them again. I won't have people behaving like revolving doors in their lives. So stay or go, the choice is yours, but decide now" he said harshly "I'm staying" Rose said immediately, not prepared to leave the children.
—
Later that day, they had an early tea "after dinner, would you like to go for a walk around the lake Ted? We can see if we can spot anymore animals" Jack smiled. "With Eliza too?" "Of course" Jack smiled "and Mummy?" Rose looked at Jack, unsure what to say "yes" Jack said quickly as Teddy put his knife and fork down "can you go and get your coat please?" Teddy nodded and jumped off his chair, leaving the room "thanks for letting me come…" Rose said awkwardly "I only said yes so he doesn't think you're avoiding him" Jack said as he stood up and lifted Eliza from her high chair "let's go get your coat too missy!" He smiled at her.
—
They walked round the lake, Jack pushing the pram as Teddy ran ahead. Rose walked beside Jack but in an uncomfortable silence. They reached a tree "daddy, will you push me please?" He gestured to the rope swing handing from a part of it "yes buddy" Jack smiled and walked over to him, lifting him on "me and Daddy made this Mummy! Do you like it?!" Teddy grinned proudly "oh I absolutely love it!" She smiled back.
A while later Teddy got off the swing. "I'm tired Daddy, can we go home?" Jack nodded "course we can" he lifted Teddy on to his shoulders "can you get the pram please?" He looked at Rose, she nodded and they began to walk "Daddy?" Teddy said, a confused tone "yes pal?" "Why aren't you and Mummy holding hands? You always hold hands" "erm…" Jack said as he lifted Teddy off his shoulders so he could see him "it's a grownup thing…" "what is?" Teddy asked curiously, Jack knew there was no way around it "mummy and daddy aren't together anymore, we're just friends now" "why?" Teddy asked frowning "because Mummy made Daddy sad darling" Rose said, giving him a weak smile "oh… you should make him happy again, then me and Eliza will have a proper Mummy and Daddy again" Teddy shrugged. Jack felt guilt wash over him, unsure if things would ever go back to normal and whether he had the ability to trust Rose again, whilst Rose stood there, feeling so desperate for everything Teddy had just said.
—
Once home, Jack put the kids to bed, again declining Rose's offer of help. Jack came down to the living room after grabbing a glass of water. Rose was sat on the sofa. "Did they get to sleep OK?" She asked, wishing she could have helped him with bedtime like she used to. Jack nodded "fine""good… look Jack, I'm struggling to understand all of this. When you found me in New York, you were kind and protective… even on the train back here. But now you're cold and show no emotion towards me… I don't know what to make of it" she sighed "Rose, Cal was about to rape you. Of course I defended you and took care of you… no matter how much I dislike you right now and how much I resent you for leaving, I will always care about you…" "you still care about me?" She frowned confused "yes, I always will" he repeated "thank you…" she smiled a little. He stared in to her eyes for a moment, sighing to himself he leant in and kissed her and she returned it, before they knew it, they were on the living room floor making love.
—
They stood up and put their clothes back on "I'm having deja vu to the first time we did that in here" he smirked and she laughed in response.