Chapter 6: A Central Park Stroll
Author: zeusfluff.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals though. Date Started: 9/1/24. Date Finished: 9/3/24. Enjoy!
April 21st, 1908
Central Park, New York City
Ethel and Jack were walking through Central Park. Jack had done what he'd promised Argus Janca. Ethel looked up at the trees that were just beginning to bloom in the early Spring afternoon.
"The trees this time of year are so beautiful. What do you think Jack?"
Jack leaned in, whispering in Ethel's left ear.
"The trees are beautiful. But you are even more beautiful."
Ethel felt a blush come to her cheeks.
"Why Mr. Readling is that a compliment for a lady?"
Jack looped his arm around Ethel's and smiled.
"It's a beautiful day out."
Ethel winced and took an unsteady breath. Jack saw her waver a bit and held her up.
"Are you alright Eth? How about we sit down over here."
Blinking, Ethel could see worry on Jack's face.
"I will be fine Jack. We should sit here for a few minutes. It will pass."
Jack shook his head and squeezed Ethel's hand.
"You're not well Eth. May I drive you to the hospital?"
Ethel shot Jack a warning look and shook her head.
"No. I will be fine Jack."
Jack squeezed Ethel's hand one more time.
"At the least, may I drive you home?"
Ethel was stubborn. Shaking her head one more time, she looked at the blooming trees all around them.
"Jack, it will pass. If I sit and rest, it will pass."
Jack gave Ethel a sympathetic look and kept squeezing her hand.
"I just want to make sure you're well."
Ethel kept eyeing Jack, and she held her head up, letting go of Jack's hand. Jack watched her stand, and then he saw her collapse. He caught her before her head could connect with the concrete below her.
Jack never left Ethel's side. She was lying in a hospital bed resting. He suddenly heard Argus Janca's booming voice a few hundred feet away from him.
"READLING!"
Taking his eyes away from Ethel for a fraction of a minute, Jack looked Argus Janca in the eye. He kept his one-way conversation going.
"What happened to her Readling! I want to the whole story."
Jack remained calm and explained what happened.
"The two of us were walking in Central Park, and she felt faint. I helped her over to a bench and she sat down. After a few minutes she said she felt better, and she got up. When she got up, a case of the vapors came on and she collapsed."
Argus Janca softened his gaze and looked over at the unconscious form of his daughter Ethel.
"She does tend to overexert herself sometimes. Your job was to keep her safe while the two of you walked through the park."
Jack took a breath and looked Argus Janca in the eye.
"She was safe sir. I kept her safe. I brought her to the hospital. I love your daughter Mr. Janca, and she loves me."
Mr. Janca gave Jack a frown of disapproval.
"I know who your father is Mr. Readling. But I am afraid I do not know who you are. Can I trust you? Are your intentions for my daughter still pure? Or do I have to separate the two of you and cut you off?"
Jack wasn't exactly sure how to react to Mr. Janca's outburst, but he kept his cool and added his thought.
"I promise you Mr. Janca, I hold your daughter in the highest regard. I would like to keep seeing your daughter sir. May I have your permission?"
Argus Janca could see the way Jack looked at Ethel. He remembered when he and his wife Lenore were their age. They were also madly in love and neither one of their parent's approved. Jack reached a hand out to Ethel as she began to stir, about to push some wayward blond hair out of her eyes but stopped and looked at Mr. Janca. Mr. Janca nodded his head, and Jack brushed the hair out of Ethel's face. He watched her for a moment as she took a breath. She then opened up her eyes, clearing her throat.
"Jack? What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"
Ethel then looked beyond Jack into the eyes of her father.
"Father? What are you doing here?"
Mr. Janca gave a watery smile.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright my dear. That is all."
Ethel eyed her father and brushed him off, turning her attention to Jack who grabbed for her hand.
"I am father. Jack has been taking care of me. He would not let anything happen to me. He has my best interest in mind. I love him and he loves me. You told me how you and mother met. How grandmother and grandfather did not like the two of your sneaking around to see each other in secret all the time."
Mr. Janca frowned at Ethel and shook his head.
"Those were different times."
Ethel crossed her arms over her chest and fixed a stare at her father.
"Is it now? Jack is a good man father. He will make sure I am taken care of."
Mr. Janca couldn't help but protest.
"I just want to make sure you do not get hurt. I love you."
Ethel shifted in the bed and looked her father in the eye.
"I know you do not want to see me get hurt. But I am a grown woman now, not a child any longer. It is time for you to let me grow up."
Mr. Janca kissed Ethel's forehead.
"To me, you will always be that 6-year-old little girl that wanted me to play with her dollhouse with her."
Ethel smiled.
"I did adore that dollhouse. I believe we have it stored in the attic."
Jack gave Ethel a warm smile.
"I am glad you are feeling better. I can stay if you like? With your father's permission? Just until you fall asleep?"
Argus Janca nodded his head in approval.
"I suppose that would be alright. But only until she falls asleep."
Jack agreed and pulled up a chair beside the bed.
"You have my word sir."
To Be Continued…
A/N: So, what'd you guys think?