Chapter 21

Jack cast his fishing line into the hole and waited patiently. He had gone ice fishing with his father every winter his whole life, and this one was no different. Earlier that morning, his father had woken him up, packed the fishing equipment, got dressed in their fishing clothing, and hit the road.

William carved a large hole into the ice, then they both set up, getting ready for the ice fishing they waited for all year. They were both so tired that they could barely speak to each other, simply huddled next to each other for warmth.

Jack's eyes began to close, and he leaned against his father's warm chest. Suddenly, something pulled at his rod, and his eyes snapped back open. "Pa! Pa!" Jack exclaimed, holding onto his rod. William jumped up, ready to help his son. "I caught something!"

"Here, hold it steady," William stood behind him, helping him hold onto the rod. "Let it go a little bit, let it tire itself out," he instructed, and Jack did what he was told. "Now, reel it in. Come on, you can do it." Jack used all his strength to reel in the fish, then cheered once it was out of the water.

"I did it, I did it," Jack cheered, holding the line in his hands as William helped unhook the fish and grab it. "I can't believe I caught a fish!"

William wrapped his arms around his son, holding him tightly. "I'm so proud of you!" He whispered in Jack's ear, causing him to smile. "It's freezing out here, let's pack up and go home."

For the next few minutes, William and Jack packed up all of their supplies, their fish, and anything else they brought. Just as they started walking away, Jack realized he had left one of his mittens by the hole. He ran back over and reached for it, but before he could stop himself, he had slipped over the edge and into the water.

It felt like a thousand knives stabbing him all over his body. He wanted to call for his father, but he couldn't find the surface. He couldn't even think about which way to swim in. The water was so cold, it felt as though it was cutting off his ability to think.

Finally, big hands wrapped around him and pulled him out. Quickly, William wrapped a spare blanket around him and held him in his arms. "Oh thank god you're alright," William sighed in relief. Jack shivered, leaning further into William's arms, causing him to kiss the top of his son's head. "I've got you, Jack. I'm never gonna let you go. I've got you. I've got you…"

Jack opened his eyes and found another set staring at him. Rose was watching him, and she smiled as soon as she saw him. "You slept," she smiled, taking his hand.

"Yeah," Jack yawned, scrunching his eyes shut and then opening them again. "I slept so well. That's the first time I've slept since… you know…" He looked down, and Rose squeezed his hand gently. "I had a dream about him, you know."

Rose smiled ever so slightly. She moved closer to him, resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around him. "I love you, Jack," she whispered. "I always will. And I'll never, ever leave you."

"I know." He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as well. Rose looked up and kissed him, and Jack deepened the kiss, refusing to let her go. Rose's hands drifted to his briefs. Jack's hands moved to Rose's nightgown, pulling it up. Rose pulled it over her head, laying back down naked. His hands found her breasts, which were noticeably larger now due to the pregnancy. "Rose," Jack pulled away for a moment, staring at her. "Are you sure you can do this?"

Rose nodded, then leaned forward kissing him again. She reached for his briefs, trying to pull them down, but Jack stopped her. "Rose," he pulled away again, staring at her. "I-I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm pregnant, Jack, not injured," she smiled at him, but she saw the concern in his eyes. She saw exactly what he was thinking: he was losing people left and right, and he was afraid to do something to put her at risk. "We don't have to if you really don't want to."

"I'm just worried," Jack said quietly, looking down at her stomach. He placed his hand on it, feeling the baby kick. "I don't want to hurt you, Rose. You were in the hospital a few days ago. I don't want to do anything that would hurt you."

Rose smiled at him, touching his cheek. "I understand," she whispered. "But I want you to know, I'm never going anywhere. You could never, ever hurt me Jack. You're too loving and kind for that."

Jack's hand was on her stomach, tracing circles over her navel. "You're amazing," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "You know, I've thought about a lot of things since my father died, but the one thought I keep coming back to is how grateful I am that this happened while I had you. The last few days have been hard, but I know they would have been so much harder if I didn't have you with me."

Rose's lips curved upward in a smile. "You'll always have me, Jack," she promised him. "No matter what happens next, no matter what we face, I'll always be here, and we'll always get through it together."

Jack kissed her one more time before wrapping his arms around her, holding her close. "I love you," he whispered, holding her as they both closed their eyes again, savoring the light moment amidst all the darkness.

xXx

Liza's arms wrapped around Betty, pulling her closer. "I can't believe you're back," Betty whispered, as Liza's lips met her neck. "I missed this so much." Betty rolled over to face Liza, their legs tangled together. "I can't believe I get to spend my life with you."

"I love you," Liza whispered, leaning forward and kissing Betty softly. She leaned back and saw the smile left on her face, smiling right back. "Betty… Did you tell your mother? Does she know?"

Betty nodded. "I must've forgotten to tell you…"

The sunset cast a warm glow on the living room, which was finally empty after a long day of visitors coming to give their condolences. Finally, it was only Betty, Anna, and Jack, sitting silently, remembering everything that had happened that day. After only a moment, Anna turned to Jack. "Where's Rose?" She asked.

"She's with Liza," Jack answered. He looked down at his wedding band, missing the comfort of having his wife with him, even if it was just a few minutes. "She's showing her the nursery."

Anna nodded. "It was so nice of her to come all the way here to see you," she smiled, turning to her daughter. She took her hand and squeezed it. "Is she staying with us?"

"Yes, she is," Betty replied. She looked over at Jack, silently asking him if she should tell her the truth. Jack gave a subtle nod, encouraging her. She looked back at her mother, facing her, taking her hands in hers. "Ma… Liza and I are in love," she said nervously. Anna pulled her hands away from her daughter, breaking Betty's heart. "I know this is probably a shock to you, but I want you to know that I'm still me, Ma. I'm still-"

She stopped talking as soon as Anna wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Oh, my darling," she whispered. "I'm so proud of you. And thank you for telling me." Tears appeared in Betty's eyes, and Jack gave her a gentle smile. "I'm so happy you found someone you love, someone who makes you happy. I know it couldn't be easy for you to tell me."

Betty hugged her mother for another moment, and then they released each other. She stood, smoothened out her dress, and then excused herself. "Alright," she smiled. "I better go find Liza."

She made her way to the door, though she heard her mother say "I'm so glad she's happy." She smiled as she ran up the stairs, finding Liza going through her things, unpacking some essentials.

Before Liza could say anything, Betty pulled her in, crashing her lips into hers, wrapping their arms around each other and holding each other. They finally separated, and Liza pulled back a bit. "Are you alright?" She asked.

Betty grinned, kissing Liza again. "Of course I am," she answered. "I have you. I'll always be alright."

Liza smiled at the story. "That's what that was about?" She asked, and Betty nodded. "No wonder you were so… happy last night." She pulled Betty closer until they were practically on top of each other. "I love you, Betty."

"I love you too," Betty whispered, kissing her again. "I'll love you forever." They kissed one last time, but it was cut short when Liza pulled away and stood up, wrapping herself in her bathrobe. "Where are you going?"

"We," Liza corrected, "Are going to take a drive to Cape Cod today to see our new home." She leaned down and kissed Betty. As she did, Betty jumped out of bed and began getting ready as well. "I can't wait to see it."

"Neither can I," Betty smiled, and they both rushed through their morning routine, eager to see the house they would be settled in. Finally, after a few minutes, they were both dressed and ready. "Are you ready to go?"

Liza smiled and nodded. "Let's go."

xXx

The drive to the cape was faster than either of them had expected, and definitely more scenic. Because no one was allowed to know about their relationship, Betty and Liza drove down themselves, politely declining the chauffeur's offer to drive them. "This isn't a bad drive," Liza observed. "Considering you'll be making this drive every time you go into the office."

Betty nodded. "And it's beautiful," she agreed. She looked out the window, the ocean just beyond the road. "This is perfect. It's exactly what you want and exactly what I want, combined." She reached over, taking Liza's free hand, while the other remained on the wheel. "My father knew exactly what he was doing."

"Look!" Liza exclaimed, pulling her hand out of Betty's and pointing straight ahead. There was a small house, painted white with blue shutters, with flowers all along the front lawn. It looked like a dollhouse, one that Betty grew up with. "It's that one, right there!"

"It's beautiful," Betty gasped. She remembered that dollhouse, and she remembered how even though she had plenty of boy and girl dolls for the house, she always seemed to pair the girl dolls with each other. "It's perfect!"

They shared a look reflecting the immense love and happiness they both felt, and Liza pulled the car up into the driveway. They stepped out, and walked together up to the house. "I can't believe this is ours," Betty said quietly, placing the key in the lock and opening the door.

The house was empty, no furniture in sight, but that didn't bother either of them. After all, it just meant they could decorate it themselves. Hand in hand, they walked through the living room, which had a fireplace, empty bookshelves, and plenty of space, followed by the kitchen, which was large enough for both of them to cook at the same time, as they often had up in Maine, and a dining room, which was small, but all the space they needed. There was a final room, one behind a closed door, and inside, there was room for a large desk, bookcases, and everything Betty would need in order to make this her study. The window looked out at the ocean, a view that took her breath away.

"This is beautiful," Liza said in awe, looking around her. "This is perfect." Betty nodded, looking around as well. "Come on, let's look at the upstairs rooms."

They walked up the stairs and found themselves in a smaller room, but one that led to plenty of others. They could make it another living room if they wanted, one that they could use at night before going to sleep. Next, they went into another room, one that, while empty, was clearly intended to be a child's room or a nursery.

Betty leaned against the wall, deep in thought. She hadn't considered the fact that neither of them would be able to have children. She didn't think it bothered her, but it was still something she had yet to think about.

Liza must have noticed, because she wrapped her arms around her from behind, placing her head on Betty's shoulder. "Does it bother you?" She asked quietly. "That we can never have children? Do you want children?"

Slowly, she shrugged. "I had a choice. I could've married someone that I would have never loved, and I would've had children. Or I could be with someone that I loved with my whole heart, and it would mean sacrificing some other things that I may have wanted." She turned to look at Liza. "I choose you. I choose being with you over anything else." She placed her hand on top of hers, smiling at her. "Does it bother you? I suppose you were the one who could have it all: a husband you truly loved and a child as well."

Liza shook her head. "No," she admitted. "I don't need children. I just need you." Betty smiled at that, blushing ever so slightly. "And maybe I could have done that, but I don't want to. And I never will." She leaned forward and kissed Betty's cheek. "Besides, children are a lot of work. And we can just be the fun aunts to Jack and Rose's children. And by my estimation, there will be plenty, because those two can not keep their hands off each other."

"Gross!" Betty whined. "That's my brother you're talking about."

They both laughed, holding onto each other tighter. "Truth be told, the only thing that bothers me is that I can't marry you," Liza admitted, and they both grew more serious. "That I can't call you my wife."

Betty looked at her, deep in thought. "Why can't you?" she said quietly. "I know we can't legally get married, but who cares about that?" Liza picked up her head, looking at her. "We can still have a wedding. We can still get dressed up, invite the people we love, and make vows to one another."

Liza smiled. "You would do that?"

Betty nodded. "I would do anything for you," she said quietly, and Liza blushed. "In fact…" she pulled out of Liza's embrace, then lowered onto one knee. "Liza Calvert, I love you, and I don't ever want to spend a minute without you." She saw Liza's eyes fill with tears, but kept going, taking Liza's hand in hers. "Will you marry me?"

After a moment, Liza nodded. "Yes," she whispered, pulling Betty onto her feet and wrapping her arms around her. "Of course I will." They held each other close, sharing another blissful moment that they'd remember for the rest of their lives.