ALL THE WAY
Chapter Seventeen

It was seven AM the next morning when Dianna heard the doorbell ring through her empty and quiet house--the children were off with Bryan for a weekend in Los Angeles. Wondering who on earth would be coming over at such an early time on a Saturday morning, she sat her coffee mug down on the kitchen table and made her way to the front door.

Straightening out the welcome rug on the floor with her foot, Dianna opened the door and looked outside. To her shock, Rose stood on the front steps. Mascara ran down her cheeks and her eyes were red and bloodshot. Her hair was matted and wet, due to the rain that had been pouring down since the day before. Her clothes too, were damp and she was shivering in the cold. In short, she looked worse then Dianna had ever seen her.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed. "Rose, what happened to you?"

Rose just shook her head and closed her eyes. "I--I...I," she tried to talk, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Oh, honey, come inside," Dianna said, realizing that something must be really wrong if Rose couldn't speak. She moved aside and the soaked Rose followed her into the house.

"Let me get you a towel," Dianna mumbled as she started for the bathroom, leaving Rose alone in the hallway. She looked around with uncomprehending eyes, her heart still heavy with pain. She felt as if someone had taken her out into the middle of the street, stripped her naked, and then ran over her body ten thousand times with a car.

"Here," Dianna said, coming back and wrapping a warm towel around Rose's shoulders. Rose shrugged into it numbly, all thoughts lost to her.

"Are you okay?" Dianna finally asked softly.

Rose turned toward her friend and just looked at her for a moment. And then, finally, she shook her head slowly as fresh tears formed her eyes.

"Damn it," she whispered, trying to wipe them away.

"Well, at least I know you can talk now," Dianna said after that, trying to make a joke. But when she saw that Rose didn't think it was funny in the least, she stopped there.

"Ah, why don't we get you seated and comfortable?" she suggested, starting to lead Rose towards the living room. Rose followed, only because there was nothing else to do. She couldn't leave, she had nowhere to go to. And she couldn't just stand there, that would be pointless as well. No, all she could do was follow Dianna and try to make some sense of what was happening.

Once in the living room, Dianna sat Rose down on the couch and then sat down next to her. Neither said anything; Rose didn't know how to explain things at the moment and Dianna didn't know if she should ask Rose questions or not. It carried on like this for about ten minutes until Rose finally spoke.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, keeping her head down. "I didn't have anywhere else to go."

Dianna smiled lightly and patted Rose on the back. "It's all right Rose."

Rose was quiet again.

"Do you want some coffee?" Dianna asked, trying to get Rose to tell her more without being obvious. "I have straight black, right out of the pot, if you want that."

Rose instinctively touched her abdomen. "No coffee," she said, turning to look at Dianna for the first time in a while.

"Water? Tea? Anything?"

Rose shook her head. "No thank you."

"Okay," Dianna said softly, getting more worried. Rose loved her coffee in the mornings, she knew that. She sighed without meaning to, causing Rose to turn.

They looked at each other for a moment and then Rose just blurted out what had happened. "Jack and I had a fight, a really bad one. And I left." She started crying again now, her whole body overcome with sobs.

Dianna immediately moved to put her arm around Rose's shoulders, letting her cry as hard as she wanted. She knew that this was a big a thing. Dianna had known Rose and Jack for years, and they never fought. There had been a few times when Rose had said something about how they had argued over stupid little things. Those spurts were usually resolved quickly. But now, if Rose had really left, something awful must have happened. Before Dianna could even question her about it, Rose began talking about it again, her words came out in-between sobs.

"It was so awful. He just came home and we were talking and then Jack got really mad because I went to the doctor and spent money...its like he didn't even care, he didn't want to know why I went," she mumbled. "One thing lead to another, and all of the sudden, all of the sudden it was like we were screaming and yelling these horrible things at each other!"

Rose jumped up and started nervously pacing around in front of the couch. "I called him so many stupid things, I even compared him to Cal. Then he called me a whore, and said that money was everything." She stopped moving and turned toward Dianna, her eyes over flowing with sad tears. "He hates me Dianna. He told me to get out, so I did. I left, I took the car, and I just left. I have been driving around for the past eleven hours, not doing anything but stare off in the distance. I thought about going back so many times, but then I would remember what we said to each other, and it's just not possible. I can't go back."

"Oh Rose," Dianna sighed sympathetically. She stood up and pulled Rose into an embrace. "It's going to turn out okay. You'll see."

Rose just shook her head. "I just don't know," she whispered. "It all seems hopeless now."

*****

Hours later, Dianna wondered into the kitchen looking for something to entice Rose to eat. The poor woman had fallen asleep on the couch, soon after explaining what had happened, exhausted from being up all night. Truthfully, she didn't know what to say to Rose at the moment and was sort of relieved she was asleep for a little while. The whole situation just sounded like a big understanding and it was the result of two very stressed out people finally crossing paths. Dianna knew this, but she didn't know how to get it across to Rose.

Sighing, she started going through the cupboards, finally finding some fresh bread. Taking it down, she cut a slice and then put it in the oven to warm up. Her mind wondered once again about what to do. Of course they had to kiss and make up. There was no way Dianna was letting anything happen to that couple's relationship. It was all just a matter of getting them into the same room and getting them to apologize. Dianna drummed her fingers on the counter as she tried to think of any possible way to get them to see each other. With some careful words, she decided, Rose might just agree to something. The question was what, though?

"Come on Di," she whispered to herself. "Think."

After several minutes of racking her brain, she finally threw up her hands and gave up. She could talk to Rose, but then after that it was going to be up to her. Shaking her head, Dianna took the bread, now toast, out of the oven and carefully put a little bit of butter on it. She poured some orange juice and then with one final sigh, picked everything up and started for the living room.

As she entered, she saw Rose start to stir. Dianna set the things down on the nearby coffee table and then sat down, watching as Rose slowly woke up.

"Hey," she whispered once Rose was fully conscience again. "How are ya doing?"

Rose gave Dianna a funny little half smile that said What do you think? and then sat up. Almost immediately, her face when white as a sheet and she covered her mouth with her hand. She closed her eyes and stood up slowly. "Excuse me," she mumbled before running in the direction of the bathroom.

Dianna jumped up and followed her, coming in just as Rose threw up into the toilet. She watched in disbelief as her friend got sick, not knowing what to do. Rose was obviously not shocked at what was happening, and this made Dianna start to wonder if there was more to the story then she heard. Suddenly, something Rose had said flashed through her mind like a shooting star.

"Jack got really mad because I went to the doctor and spent money...its like he didn't even care."

"Oh my God," Dianna whispered. She looked at Rose, who was now finished and sitting by the toilet, softly crying and looking around as if she was lost. It all clicked in her head just then and she couldn't help but be shocked.

"Does Jack know?"

Rose's tear filled eyes met Dianna's and she knew that she knew. Then Rose slowly shook her head. "No. He has no idea," she said, her voice surprisingly strong.

Dianna came over and sat down next to Rose, hanging her a washcloth in the process. "How far along are you?"

Rose looked down at the floor. "A little over two months. I just found out for sure yesterday. I started having some signs a couple days after the Crash. I thought, maybe, it was all just because of the stress and worry and I didn't tell Jack. Things had already started to get...ruined, with us, and I didn't want to burden him with more worry. But I finally went in to check." She sighed heavily and looked back up, this time at the wall in front of her. "I always knew, deep down I could feel it. I just didn't want to believe it."

Dianna didn't say anything, just put her arm around Rose and then Rose laid her head down on Dianna's shoulder.

"We're having another baby together, and he does not even know. He doesn't even want me there. It's like a bad nightmare I can't wake up from."

"You have to talk to Jack."

"I can't. I can't go back. He hates me, the children probably think I hate them. God, it's too late now. I've just, I've just screwed everything up."

Dianna bit her lip, not knowing what to say next. This was all more then she expected and was more complicated then she wanted to deal with. But, helping Rose was more important then anything and she would do whatever it took to see that those two made up.

"Things will seem better, I promise," she told Rose, who just sighed heavily and started off into space.

It was quiet for a minute before the sound of the doorbell once more echoed throughout the house.

"It's him, oh my God. It's Jack," she whispered frantically. "I can't speak with him now." She stood up and started pacing around again.

Dianna jumped up as well and tried to calm Rose down. "Hun, it's probably not him." She looked around and then finally said, "Why don't you take a bath, get cleaned up. Then we can deal with this."

Rose nodded weakly and then stopped pacing.

"Okay, I am going to go see who that is and then I'll be back."

Rose watched uncomprehendingly as Dianna left the room and closed the door. She was alone again, she realized. Slowly, she turned around and looked at the empty bathtub. Mechanically, she moved toward it and started running hot water, not caring how warm the water got. Slowly, almost in a trance, she started pealing off the layers of clothes she wore. Layer after layer, as if stripping away the last forty-eight hours. Finally, she stood nude in front of the mirror. She had lost weight; her arms and legs looked kind of pathetic, along with about fifty other parts of her body. The only place that didn't look deprived of nourishment was her already-swollen belly. And although it would be a few more months before she really stared to show, you could just barely tell of the presence it held. Tenderly, she ran her hands over her abdomen, as if to caress the life it carried within. She had wanted so much for her baby, but know where were they headed?

Tiredly, Rose climbed into the bathtub and shut off the water. She closed her eyes and let steaming liquid wash around her. For the first time in a while, she felt a tiny shimmer of hope. Maybe, just possibly, with a little love and some help from God, she and Jack would make it okay.

"Rose?" Dianna knocked softly on the door and then pushed it open. Rose sank down in the water so that only her neck and head were visible and watched as Dianna came in. The look on her face was enough for Rose.

"It was him; wasn't him?"

Dianna just nodded as she put the lid of the toilet down and then sat upon it. "It was Jack, you were right."

"What did he say?"

"Well," Dianna began. "He asked me if I had seen you--"

"You said no right?" Rose asked, interrupting what Dianna was trying to say.

"Yes, I said that I hadn't seen you," Dianna promised before quickly continuing on. "He got really sad, Rose, and kind of mumbled an okay before kind of shrugging off. I called him back and asked if he was doing all right and he said no."

"Did he mention the children?" Rose asked, suddenly worrying about them.

"No, but I am sure they are either at home or at Jennifer's or something. Anyway, I asked if I could do something. This time he just shrugged and then said, If you see Rose, tell her I am really sorry and that I am looking for her. I'll be at the house. And then he turned and left."

Rose didn't say anything. She didn't know what to think now. Jack was sorry, but was she? And how did she know he was telling the truth. Of course, Jack had never lied to her before. Then again, Jack had never yelled at her before either. She twirled little circles in the water with her finger while she contemplated all of the information she had just been handed.

"Did he really say sorry?" Rose asked softly after a few minutes.

Dianna gave her a tiny smile and then nodded. "Yeah, he did. He looked it too Rose. He wasn't lying, I promise you."

Rose crinkled her nose up and then blew out some excess air. She still loved him, she realized, and she was sorry too. But all those things they had said still floated in the air. It would hard to get passed them. "What do I do now?" she asked of Dianna.

"Go back to him," Dianna said simply.

Rose looked at her friend for a minute and then slowly started nodding. She would try to go back, even if it killed her.

*****

"Here...." Dianna said, some time later, as she walked into the room where Rose was pacing back in forth in a bathrobe, a thoughtful look on her face. She threw a bundle of fabric at Rose, who caught it and then held it up.

"A dress?" Rose asked, looking at the soft fabric. "What is this for?"

Dianna raised her eyebrows up and smiled a teasing smile. "To entice your husband with, silly."

Rose's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Oh, no, no, no Dianna. I can't. One, I am not even sure how I am going to handle this yet. And two, your dress size is at least two times smaller then mine is."

"It's big on me anyway, and you said you lost weight, right? Granted you are pregnant, but that doesn't matter. And plus, a tight dress never hurt any woman."

"But--" Rose tried to protest, but Dianna cut her off.

"Not another word. Just try it on, please."

Rose gave her a sideways glance and then shook her head again. "All right, fine. But if I look silly in it I am not wearing it."

Dianna grinned and then started out of the room. "I am coming back in a minute rather you are ready or not."

"Good-bye," Rose said, closing the door behind Dianna, who had started laughing. She crossed the room and stood in front of the full length mirror. Here goes nothing, she thought and then quickly slipped off the bathrobe. She pulled the dress over her head and let it fall around her knees. Surprisingly, she could get it on. The black fabric was made out of some silky material Rose could not identify, but it looked tantalizing when she walked back and forth. It was tight, and the v-neckline made her breasts stand out. She had to admit, it did make her look a bit sexy.

"Ready?" Dianna called as she opened the door and walked in. As soon as she saw Rose, her hands flew to her month. "Oh, you look so wonderful Rose. Jack will never be able to resist you. God, he'll probably fall to his knees right in front of you."

Rose blushed and looked down. "I guess its okay," she mumbled as she looked back up at Dianna. "But I need shoes, and maybe something to wear with it."

"You can borrow my shoes, your locket is still in the bathroom, and you can wear a pair of my earring's. Problem solved."

Rose sighed and sat down on the bed. "Okay, so I'll look nice. But I how to I approach him Dianna? I mean, what will I say? I can't just show up and go, Hey darling, I am sorry too. Let's jump in the sack. That is not how you're supposed to do it. And plus, Jack likes to talk things out sometimes."

Dianna crossed the room and sat down next to Rose. "You just have to go over there. Once you see him, you'll know what to say."

"Yeah," Rose mumbled. "I just have to get the courage to do it all."

"It will be fine," Dianna promised, giving Rose a little smile. "Oh, and guess what? I called over to Jennifer's. The kids are over at her house for the night; Jack explained the situation to her and she offered to watch them until tomorrow."

Rose sighed and then flopped back onto the bed. She sighed heavily for the billionth time, it seemed like, and then sat back up. She glanced at the clock; it was just after three in the afternoon already.

"You ready?" Dianna asked, breaking through Rose's thoughts.

Rose turned and looked at Dianna. "I guess so," she mumbled, feeling more scared then she had been in a long time. The only thought that raced through her mind was, What happens if we don't work things out?

Chapter Eighteen
Stories