CHANGES
Chapter Seven

Joseph's eyes went wide. "What baby?"

The doctor looked at him confused. "Your daughter was pregnant. You didn't know?"

Joseph shook his head. "No. I can't believe she didn't tell me."

"It's quite possible she didn't know yet. She was barely two months along."

Jack stepped in, his face pale. "Do you have an idea of when the baby was conceived?"

The doctor flipped through her papers. "According to our tests, probably between November twelfth and fifteenth."

Any color that had been left in Jack's face was gone now. "Oh God..." he whispered, sinking down into a chair.

The doctor gave him a concerned look. "Would you happen to be the father?"

Jack nodded numbly, "Yes."

Elaine sat down next to her son. "You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't. God..."

Joseph knelt down in front of him. "What was November twelfth?"

"That was the weekend the gang went up to the cabin," he said quietly.

Joseph closed his eyes for a moment. "Haven't you ever heard of using protection? What the hell were you two doing, having sex anyway?" he yelled.

Elaine glared at him. "I realize you're upset, but don't yell at him. For God's sake Joe, his child died before he even knew it was there!"

Joseph lowered his head. "You're right. I'm sorry Jack, Elaine."

Jack took a deep breath. "I need to see her."

Joseph hesitated. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I have to. I need to talk to her."

Sighing, he gave in. "All right. Come on."

*****

Slowly, Joseph opened the door to his daughter's hospital room. "Princess?"

Rose lifted her eyes to see her father's concerned look. "Hi Daddy."

"Princess, Jack wants to see you, is that okay?"

Rose nodded slightly. "Please. I want to see him."

Joseph nodded and stepped out of the way. Jack entered hesitantly and Joseph closed the door behind him. Taking a look at Rose, Jack's heart broke. She had a huge cut across her forehead, a black eye not to mention her eyes were red from crying. She managed to smile slightly at him. "I don't bite. Sit down." Jack sat on the edge of the bed and Rose took his hand. "The doctor told you?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Did you know?"

Rose sighed. "I just found out this morning. That's why I was at your house."

"How the hell did this happen? We were always so careful."

"Almost always. Remember the night when everyone went to town and we stayed behind?"

Jack exhaled as he remembered that night. "The condom broke..."

Rose pulled the blanket closer to her. "Even though we're young, I still wanted it. It was so innocent, it should've had the chance to live."

Jack glanced up at her. "It was gone before I even knew..."

Rose wiped a tear from her face. "What would you have done, if this hadn't happened?"

"Are you asking if I would've bailed on you?"

Rose nodded slightly and Jack sighed, taking her hand again. "Rose, look at me please." Rose lifted her head and met his gaze. "Rose, I would never ever just abandon you like that. Even though I think we're too young to be parents, I would've taken on the responsibility. I love you, okay? Don't forget that."

Fresh tears began running down her face. "I'm sorry Jack. For everything. For doubting that you'd be there." She choked back a sob. "And for killing our child."

Jack gathered Rose in his arms as she began to cry harder. "Shh, it's not your fault. It's not your fault."

*****

And that's how Joseph found them, his daughter in Jack's arms, crying softly as he tried to soothe her. "Excuse me," he said, opening the door. Jack looked up at him and gave him a small smile. Joseph came over to the bed and sat in the chair next to it. "How are you Princess?"

Rose wiped some tears from her eyes and looked at her father. "I've been better." She paused. "You aren't mad at me, are you?"

Joseph shook his head. "No, not mad. A little shocked at first, but not mad."

"Thank you, Daddy."

"The doctor says you can come home if you want."

"I want to."

Joseph nodded. "All right, I'll go tell the doctor." He stood up. "I'll be right back. Your mom headed home, Jack, so you can catch a ride with us."

Jack nodded as Joseph left the room.

*****

When the DeWitt-Bukaters arrived home, fifteen-year-old Eric came running outside first. "Rose, are you okay?" he exclaimed, hugging his older sister tightly.

Rose gave him a tiny smile. "I'll be okay, Eric. Don't worry."

Eric took her arm and helped his father assist her up the stairs and to her room. Jack followed behind, having been pushed out of the way when Eric appeared. After she was settled, Joseph went down to his office, making Eric follow so Jack and Rose could be alone. Rose patted the bed beside her and Jack sat down.

"You're not angry, are you?" Rose asked quietly.

Jack looked at her in surprise. "Angry? Why would I be angry with you? The only person I'm angry with is Krista."

"She should have to pay for what she did."

"You want to press charges?"

Rose shook her head. "No. As much as I would love to see her pay for this, I don't want to drag it out."

"All right." He sighed, catching the time. "I have to go."

"What? Why?"

"I have to get everything ready for my interview with the guy from Harvard tomorrow."

Rose's jaw dropped. "I forgot that was tomorrow. Will you call me later?"

Jack kissed the top of her head. "Of course. Get some sleep, okay?"

Rose nodded and smiled as Jack tucked the blankets in around her. She yawned. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, too. Talk to you later," he said, turning off the lights and closing the door.

Chapter Eight
Stories