Chapter 17

One month later…

"I can't believe it's already been a month," Rose said quietly, packing her things away into her bags. She somehow had accumulated double the things she had arrived with, though it was through no fault or frivolous shopping of her own. She had outgrown most of the clothing she had arrived with, and while she felt guilty about it, Jack was thrilled that their baby was healthy and growing.

"It's okay, Rose," Jack said one day, when Rose was having a harder time adjusting to her ever growing stomach and changing figure. She wouldn't even let Jack touch her that day, so worried that he wouldn't find her beautiful anymore. "You're beautiful. You always will be. You could grow or shrink and you'd still be my Rose, the woman I love." She smiled at that, and Jack slowly reached out and took her hand. "And besides, you're growing our child. You're bringing them into the world. How could that ever not be beautiful?"

That little speech had carried Rose through some harder days, when she would feel ugly or look in the mirror and not see herself looking back at her. She would remember what Jack had told her, see the way he looked at her every single day, and it would make her feel better.

"I know," Jack answered, packing his own things. He stopped packing, then walked over to Rose, wrapping his arms around her. "Any more movements yet?"

Rose shook her head. In the last few weeks, she had started to feel the baby move and kick, and every time Jack felt it, he'd have such a huge smile that would make Rose smile as well. "Not since last night," she answered, putting her hands on top of his. "The baby's probably sleeping."

"They sleep?" Jack smiled. "Our baby sleeps. Thank god." He kissed the tip of her nose, making her smile.

Rose stared into his eyes. "I don't think that'll spare me from the late night wake up calls," she told him, arching an eyebrow. "Two am? The baby's crying! Time to get up and feed." Jack knew she was really excited about it, but that she was nervous, and sometimes those bits showed.

"We'll share the late night wake up calls," Jack promised her. "We'll take turns. And besides, you're carrying the baby, you're dealing with the discomfort and everything, I'll take more wake up calls. It'll be alright, I promise."

After only a moment, Rose smiled at Jack. "You're right," she answered, leaning forward and kissing him. "I'm excited to get home, to set up the nursery, and to be settled. But it won't be the same without Betty."

"I know," Jack sighed. "I miss her too. But soon, she'll be home, and everything will be okay."

Rose nodded, and they continued to pack to return to their home.

xXx

The next day…

Anna ran from the front door to the car pulling up the driveway, ready to embrace her son and daughter-in-law as they stepped from the car. "You're back!" She hugged them both, and immediately, they both were glad to be home. "I missed you both!"

"We missed you too," Rose smiled, hugging her mother-in-law. Anna then looked at Rose's stomach, then touched it gently. "The trip was amazing, but I think we're both really glad to be back."

"We're all glad to have you back," Anna smiled, wrapping one arm around each of them.

Jack looked at his mother confusedly. It was only his mother and father, so why did she say all? "All?" He asked. "Who is 'all'?"

Anna grinned. "Come with me," she said happily, walking with both of them indoors. They walked through the large doors, the same ones they had walked through when they had first gotten to Boston. Similar to the first time they had arrived, they were greeted by Betty.

"Betty!" Jack exclaimed, running over to his sister and hugging her tightly. He had missed her even more than he had realized, and only seeing her again had reminded him of that.

Finally, he pulled away, and Rose went over to greet her. "Oh my god!" Rose squeezed her. "I can't believe you're here!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing back here?"

"They caught Cal!" Betty smiled. "We didn't want to bother you on your honeymoon, but they caught him. I went in and identified him as a key witness." Rose looked over at Jack, both of them too in shock for their expressions to reflect the relief they felt. "It's all over. I'm home."

Rose hugged her once again, so grateful that her sister-in-law and close friend had returned. She was grateful to have her back to help her decorate the nursery, get ready for the baby, and to talk to in general.

"I'm going to bring our bags upstairs," Jack said finally, hugging his sister one last time before going upstairs. Anna went with Jack to talk to him about their trip, leaving Rose and Betty alone.

"I can't believe you're back," Rose said, wrapping her arm around Betty, walking with her to the library. "We both kept talking about how much we would miss you as soon as we got back. But wait a minute." They both sat, Rose taking off her shoes and lifting her feet onto the couch, placing her hand on her stomach. "What happened with Liza?"

Betty sighed, avoiding Rose's gaze. "That's sort of a long story…"

xXx

One week earlier…

The morning sun poured through the window, the breeze flowing through the living room and the crashing of the waves echoing throughout the house. Betty and Liza were on the couch, their legs tangled around each other. "Just try it!" Betty pleaded, both of them laughing. She was holding a small piece of a pancake that she made. She had learned to cook while living with Liza, and this was her first time cooking breakfast.

Liza laughed, finally opening her mouth. Betty fed it to her and watched as Liza tasted it. Her eyes widened in surprise, and Betty hoped that it was because it was good. "Betty, this is delicious," she smiled, leaning forward to kiss her. "You're a great cook."

Betty smiled. "Well, you're a great taster," she answered, leaning forward and kissing Liza, slowly adjusting her position so that she was on top of her. She pulled all her hair over her shoulder, looking down into Liza's blue eyes. Liza pulled Betty's head down, kissing Betty again, holding her in her arms and allowing all of her weight to be on top of her.

Just as things were heating up, the phone on the side table started to ring. Liza slouched back onto the couch, frustrated at the interruption. Betty smiled, kissing Liza's cheek. "It'll only take a second, I promise." She reached for the phone behind Liza's head, holding the handset to her ear, while Liza kissed her neck. "Calvert residence," Betty said finally, trying not to laugh.

"Betty!" William spoke into the phone, and immediately, Betty's face grew serious. Seeing her face, Liza stopped kissing her, staring at her concernedly. "Listen, this is really important. The police have found Cal. They just need a witness to confirm that they found the right person. Your mother and I can go do it, since we don't want to bother Jack and Rose. But the point is, you can come home!"

Betty smiled. "Thanks, Pa. Bye." She hung up the phone, then leaned down to kiss Liza once again.

Liza stopped her, looking at Betty confusedly. "What was that about?" She asked. "What did your father say? Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," she answered, only realizing then that going home would mean leaving Liza, and that they would both be losing the first person they had ever been in a relationship with. "My father called to say…" she paused, trying to figure out what to say. "They caught Cal. I can go home."

Liza looked away, avoiding Betty's gaze. "Oh," she said quietly, sliding out from under Betty. She picked up the plate, carrying it over to the kitchen and placed it on the counter, beginning to clean up.

Betty stood up from the couch, walking over to the kitchen. "Liza, stop," she tried to take Liza's hand and get her to look at her, though it didn't work. Liza just continued washing the dishes, refusing to look at Betty. "We both knew this day was coming, didn't we?" She asked quietly, hating seeing the pain on Liza's face.

"I suppose," Liza said quietly. "We haven't talked about it since we… began our relationship. We didn't discuss what happens when Cal is caught. We've just… been in our own little happy relationship, completely oblivious to the world outside. And I've loved that."

The faucet was off, the dishes done, and Liza found something else to do to avoid looking at Betty. She picked up a rag, drying off the dishes. "I know. I have too," Betty answered. "But my whole family is in Boston. My parents, Jack, Rose, my future niece or nephew. My job is there. I have to go back." Liza still avoided Betty's gaze. "Liza, look at me. Please."

Finally, Liza put down the dish and the rag, looking up at Betty. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around herself. "This isn't how I thought this would go," she said finally. "I didn't think we would be together, I didn't think I'd ever admit how I felt about you. So why is it that here I am, having to say goodbye to the woman that I love?"

The woman that I love. The words she used echoed in Betty's head as she processed it. "The woman that you love?" Betty asked, looking at Liza, who was looking at the floor. "Did you mean that?" Liza avoided Betty's gaze, but gave a slight nod. Slowly, Betty lifted Liza's chin, forcing Liza to look at her. "I love you too."

Liza stared at Betty, then leaned forward and kissed her passionately, pulling her closer until their bodies were against each other. Betty's hands settled on Liza's waist and the back of her neck pulling her closer.

Betty lifted Liza onto the counter, claiming her lips again in a heated kiss. Liza's legs wrapped around Betty, pulling her closer. After only a moment, Betty pulled away, dazed from the kiss and struggling to catch her breath. "Are we really doing this?" she asked.

Liza nodded, pulling Betty back over to her, kissing her again. She lifted her nightgown over her head, revealing that she wasn't wearing a brassiere or anything under it, only her underwear. After staring at her in awe for a moment, Betty kissed her again, placing her hands on her waist and sliding her hands up to her breasts, touching her exactly as she always wanted to. Betty pulled away for a moment, lifting her nightgown over her head as well. "Betty," Liza stared at her. "You're so beautiful."

"You are too," Betty smiled before kissing her once again. They pulled each other closer, both of their sets of hands exploring each other's bodies and making each other feel things they had only ever dreamed of.

As they laid in each other's arms, a tangle of limbs under the baby blue bedsheet of Liza's bed, They still held each other close, staring into each other's eyes as they rested. "That was better than I ever expected it to be," Betty said quietly, playing with Liza's hand in hers.

Liza brought her hand up to play with Betty's hair, feeling the softness beneath her fingertips. "I agree." Her hand moved to Betty's cheek, then to her bottom lip. Betty kissed the pad of her finger, then smiled at her. "I can't believe we waited this long to do this."

"I'm glad we did," Betty said, and Liza stared at her. "It made today extra special." She looked over at Liza and touched her cheek. "I'll remember today forever, Liza."

Liza stared at her, realizing exactly what she was saying. "You're still leaving?" She asked, standing up and putting on her kimono. "Being in love with one another, both of us agreeing that we don't want to be apart, doesn't change anything for you?"

"No, it doesn't. Because it was already impossible before. And now, somehow, it's even harder," Betty answered, standing as well and wrapping her bathing robe around herself. "But Liza, what's the alternative?" She asked, walking over to Liza. "I have to go back eventually. I can't stay here, as much as I may want to. My whole family is there, my work is there. You ran from the high society life, and you have no desire to return." She shrugged. "What options does that leave us with?"

Pausing for a moment, Liza left the room, leaving Betty alone, feeling awful. After a moment, Betty followed her into the living room. "Seriously, Liza. Am I missing some option? Because you don't want to be in Boston, I can't stay out here. And besides, even if one of those options worked, we could never be together anywhere but this house. No one would accept us."

"Do you really think I care if we're accepted?" Liza asked, finally turning back to Betty. "It's unfortunate, and it makes everything more complicated, but I don't care about any of that as long as I get to be with you!" She exclaimed, watching as Betty avoided her gaze. "I love you, Betty, and I thought you and I both wanted to try to make this work."

Betty walked over to Liza, taking her hands in her own. "I do want to make this work," she said softly. "I just don't see a way for that to be possible." She paused, looking down, then back up at Liza. "I don't see how this could work."

Liza took her hands back, wrapping her arms around herself, avoiding Betty's gaze. "I think you should go," she said finally, before walking away and closing the door behind her.

xXx

Rose sighed sadly, looking over at Betty, who had tears running down her cheeks. "Oh Betty," she said quietly. "I'm so sorry." She reached out and took Betty's hand, holding it in hers. "I know you love each other, and I know you're heartbroken. I just wish there was a way I could fix this for you."

"It's just not fair," Betty cried. "Why does everyone get to be happy and in love and have the future that they want, except for me?" She asked. "Why do I have to choose between the life I want and the person I want?"

"I don't know," Rose answered, feeling sorry for Betty. She had grown to care deeply for her, even love her. "I wish I could fix this for you. I wish I could change things for you." She looked away from Betty and over at the door, where Jack was now standing.

Betty turned too, smiling at her brother. "Are you okay?" He asked, rushing over to her and sitting beside her. Betty shook her head, then collapsed against Jack, crying uncontrollably. Jack wrapped his arms around his sister, wishing he could protect her from any sadness. "Shh, shh, it's okay," he whispered, rubbing her back the way he used to when they were kids. "Everything's gonna be okay."

Rose looked away, both she and Jack heartbroken that Betty was so sad. All they could do was hope that over time, they would all be able to heal from the traumas of the past few months, each of them in their own way.