Thank you everyone for being so understanding about the delays! I'm so glad some of you are still reading :) x
--
After dropping Emilia and Charlie off at school, Rose headed to Marie's house…
"So Eva… she isn't Henry's?" Marie frowned at Rose confused, gaining a sigh in response. "No… and Henry has given me until the end of the day to tell Jack… how do I tell a man I love that I've kept his daughter from him for almost a year? I'm a monster" she sighed again. "A man you love?" Marie raised an eyebrow, watching as the colour drained from Rose's face- she hadn't even meant to say that. "Rose, who do you love? Henry or Jack?" "I… I love them both… Jack… he's the first person I ever loved. He saved my life… gave me Emmy… gave me Eva. Henry… he gave me the boys… took on Emilia as his own… he brought me out of a dark and lonely place" Rose sighed, again. "Do you want to know what I think?" Marie offered up her opinion, gaining a small nod in response. "I think you wouldn't have slept with Jack if you loved Henry as much as you think you do…" Marie replied, watching as Rose rubbed her forehead. "I can't break the kids home up… me and Henry together… that's all they've ever known" "sometimes Rose, 2 homes is better than 1…" Marie replied "all 4 of those children know how much you love them, and that's all that matters. But I do think you need to tell Jack today… the longer you put it off, the harder it's going to be" Marie said, gaining an anxious look from Rose before getting a weak nod. "He's in work until about 4… I'll go round after that… would you mind having Eva please? I don't think Henry is exactly going to volunteer" she asked sheepishly. "Sure" Marie gave Rose a reassuring look. "Thank you… I'll bring her round about 3.45 if that's OK?" Rose asked as she stood up and began to put Eva and Alfie's coats on. "That's fine… it'll be alright Rose" Marie said with a reassuring smile. "I hope so… thank you" Rose smiled weakly as she walked towards the door with the children.
—
After leaving Emilia, Charlie and Alfie at home with Henry, Rose dropped Eva off with Marie before heading to Jack's house.
"Hey?" Jack answered the door with a confused expression. "Hi…" Rose replied awkwardly. "Can I come in?" She asked. "Sure…" Jack said as he moved aside and watched as Rose walked in to the hallway. "So, what's going on?" Jack asked "is Emilia OK?" He frowned, getting a small nod. "Emilia is fine… Jack… I… I need to tell you something, and you're probably going to hate me, but please let me explain before you go mad" Rose pleaded. "OK…" Jack frowned confused. "Go through" he gestured to the living room, following her. "What is it?" Jack asked again. "Eva… she's not Henry's… she's yours" Rose shut her eyes, annoyed at herself for being so forward. "what?!" Jack's eye widened. "I'm so sorry… I didn't know what to do… Henry found out yesterday and told me I had until today to tell you. You have every right to hate me but-" Rose rambled before being cut off. "Henry knows?" Jack frowned, getting a sheepish nod back from Rose. "You're only telling me because Henry told you that you had to?" He asked, watching the colour drain from her face. "Well thanks very much, Rose… it's nice to know where your loyalties lie" Jack nodded. "It's not like that, Jack! I had to keep it a secret, for the kids! To protect them, and Henry!" Rose tried to hold back the tears "don't forget yourself too?" Jack snapped "but to hell with me and the daughter you've kept me from for almost a year, hey" Jack tried to hold his temper. "I didn't mean to hurt you…" Rose answered "there was no way that you didn't know what you were doing, Rose… you're not stupid" Jack shook his head. "I can't do this right now. I need space to think. Please leave" he finally looked away. "Jack-" Rose went to protest. "Now." Jack shouted before watching as Rose left, he collapsed to the sofa with his head in his hands.