ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mina and Oscar had a baby boy on November 11, 1912. His name was David.

*****

"Mommy! Mommy! Wake up!" Cora screamed.

Rose wouldn't wake up.

"Daddy! Get Mommy up!"

Jack opened his eyes.

"Cora, it's six o'clock in the morning. Go back to sleep."

"But it's Christmas! Santa came!"

"I know. But Mommy and I need some sleep. Don't open any presents until we get in there."

"Oh, all right."

Then there was silence.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Cora repeated, over and over, jumping up and down on their bed.

That made Jack and Rose shoot out of bed.

"You're up? So soon?" Cora asked.

Jack and Rose laughed.

Jack picked up Cora and hung her upside down.

"Jack Dawson, you're going to drop her! Put her down."

"Ah, Rose, we're only having a little fun."

"Yeah, Mommy! This is fun!" Cora exclaimed.

"Jack...you shouldn't do that."

"Oh, Rose, calm down."

They walked into the living room, where Jack had placed the tree.

"Oh, goodie!" Cora exclaimed, once Jack had put her down.

They opened their presents.

Jack had been hinting around that he wanted paint supplies, and he got his wish.

Cora had some new clothes and a lot of new toys.

"Can I go play?" Cora asked.

"Sure, honey."

Cora got up and ran to her room, with toys in her arms.

"Geez, Rose, our first Christmas together we have a child and two on the way."

"Yeah...but I love it!"

"Me, too. But just think--in four and one-half months we'll have two tiny babies."

"I know. It's going to be great."

"Have you written to Molly and your mother?" Jack asked.

"Oh, I completely forgot. I'll write to them now."

Dear Mother and Molly,

How are you two? We are all fine. I regret telling you, but I went to a doctor in Santa Monica because my stomach was hurting. I was carrying triplets, and I lost one. I want to ask you, Molly, if you'd be the Godmother of our children. Please say yes. I can't think of a better person than you. Please come visit us soon, the both of you. I have to go now.

With all of our love,
Jack and Rose Dawson

*****

"Rose, this is wonderful!" Jack said.

Rose, Mina, and Cora had been cooking, while Jack, Brian, Oscar, and Liz were all talking.

Liz wanted to help, but Rose insisted that she didn't have to.

"Well, thank Mina and Cora. They helped."

"Thanks!" they all said, in unison.

There was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me," Rose said.

"Molly! Mother!" Rose exclaimed.

"Hey, darling! We come bringing gifts!" Molly exclaimed.

They all hugged, and Rose led them into the kitchen and told them to help themselves.

"Molly! Ruthie!" Cora exclaimed, when she saw them.

"Hey, Cora," Ruth said.

"Hey, doll," said Molly.

Cora hugged them.

"We have presents for you," Ruth said.

"Really?"

"Yep!"

Cora had four more presents to open up, and when she did, she thanked them and went to her room to play.

Oscar and Mina left with their newborn, David.

Liz and Brian also left.

"Mother, Molly, may I have a word with you?" Rose asked.

"Yes, dear."

They followed Rose into the dining room.

"Well, since you weren't home to get my letter yet, I have to talk to you."

"Go on, doll," Molly said.

"Well, while Jack and I were at Santa Monica last week, I had a serious pain in my stomach. I went to the doctor, and he told me I was carrying triplets." Ruth covered her mouth. "That's not all. One of my babies died."

Ruth started crying, as did Molly.

"Molly, I also want to know if you'd be the Godmother."

"I'd be honored, darling!"

"Thank you!"

They all hugged.

"Are you all right, Mother?"

"Yes, dear. I'm just shocked."

"So were we. You two are going to stay here tonight, aren't you?"

"Rose, we don't want to impose--" Molly said, but Rose cut her off.

"Molly, you won't. Please stay. We have three more bedrooms that are useless without anyone in them."

"Oh, all right, doll. But we have to leave tomorrow."

"Why so soon?"

"Because we're going to London," Ruth answered.

"Mother! Don't get on another ship!"

"Rose, I'll be fine."

"I just don't want anything to happen."

"I know, darling. Nothing will happen."

"All right, then."

They walked back into the living room.

"Jack?"

"What?" he called from upstairs.

"Excuse me. Oh, sit down. Make yourselves at home."

Rose went upstairs.

"Jack, what are you doing?"

He had put a desk into a bedroom, and took the bed and dresser out.

"Well, Dad told me there was a desk in the attic, and since we have three extra rooms, I decided to use this one for an art studio."

"Oh, all right. I told Mother and Molly."

"What?" He had to think of it. "Oh, how'd they take it?"

"They cried. Mother moreso. And you know what's absurd?"

"The fact that you have the society tone in your voice right now?" Jack joked.

"Oh, shut up! They're going to London tomorrow!"

"What? Are they crazy?"

"I think so!"

"Well, Rose, you can't force them to stay. They are adults."

"I know, Jack. I'm just worried."

"I know, honey."

He kissed her.

"I'm going to go talk to them some more. Don't hurt your back, sweetie."

"If I do, honey, it won't be intentional."

Rose went downstairs.

"Where's Mother?" Rose asked.

"She went to the restroom," Molly said, and continued, "Rose, is everything worked out between Jack and yourself? I know that it wasn't just a pain in your stomach. It was the stress of the argument."

"Molly, everything's fine now. I was going to stay in California, but this happened, and the only time he lets me out of his sight is when he's at work."

"All right, dear. If anything else happens, you tell me. I'll give him a piece of my mind."

"I know, Molly. Thank you."

Chapter Thirty
Stories