IN THE ARMS OF A STRANGER
Chapter Eighteen

It was six months later. Jack was sitting on the porch, sketching a portrait of Rose and their daughter, when Susan came running onto the porch, fear in her eyes. Rose immediately went to her.

"Oh, Rose, it’s horrible." Susan collapsed on the porch. Concerned, Rose handed Rebecca to Jack and went to her friend.

"Susan, what’s wrong? What happened?" Rose asked. "Is this Cal’s doing? Did he hurt you somehow?"

"It’s not Cal, Rose." Susan shook her head. "It’s his father. He has just called Cal to tell him that he’ll be arriving in Chippewa Falls in a couple of days to help him close up that business deal that’s kept him down here for so long."

"Oh, my." Rose’s hand flew to her mouth.

"He wants to see what’s taking his son so long to return to Philadelphia!" Susan sobbed. "Oh, Rose. What am I going to do?"

Rose looked at Jack, but he shrugged his shoulders helplessly. He didn’t know what advice to give, except for Susan to just be herself when she met Mr. Hockley, but from Rose had told him so far, that wasn’t a very good idea.

"Don’t worry, Susan. We’ll come up with something." Rose squeezed her friend’s shoulder. "We’ll knock Nathan Hockley’s socks off."

Susan had to smile. She had never heard Rose say such a thing before. Jack must finally have been rubbing off on her.

"What are we going to do?" Susan asked curiously.

That was when an idea came to Jack, right out of the blue, as he watched Rose. In observing her around the house and drawing her portrait, she was always the proper lady, no matter what she was doing. In fact, he had once thought to himself that a couple of the girls in Chippewa Falls could learn a thing or two from her. That was it. Susan could learn from Rose. "I have an idea. Why don’t you have Rose here teach ya all about being a proper Philadelphia society girl?"

"What?" Both Rose and Susan turned to Jack.

"Rose can teach you how to be a high society lady. She knows all the ins and outs of how to impress the crème de la crème of high society. What do you have to lose?"

"My identity." Susan crossed her arms.

"I won’t let that happen," Rose spoke up. She liked Jack’s idea. It was fantastic, and was sure to work in order to win over Nathan Hockley. "Susan…don’t you see? It’s the perfect way to win Nathan Hockley over. Let him see that, even though you may not come from money, you’re still a lady worthy of his son."

"You’ll teach me that? Come on, Rose, you obviously weren’t right for Cal. I mean…you ran off…with a stranger, for goodness sake."

"But I didn’t do that at the time Nathan Hockley met me. In fact, I overheard him tell my mother that I was the perfect bride for his son. And by the time I’m done with you…you’ll be the perfect bride, too."

"I don’t know…" Susan shifted from one foot to the other. "What if Cal doesn’t like what I’m doing? I mean, he fell in love with a small town girl, not a high society girl from Philadelphia."

"Listen, talk it over with him when you get back to the house and call me and let me know. We’ll go from there." Rose smiled reassuringly.

"Rose…thank you. I really don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here to talk to me. I’ll run this past Cal and see what he says. I’ll keep in touch."

"All right." Rose nodded, hugging her friend one more time before she disappeared down the dirt path.

"So, Rose, do you really think it’ll work?" Jack asked, getting to his feet.

"Of course. Why wouldn’t it? Besides, it’s better than nothing. At least this way she’ll have a fighting chance. You know, she’s about my size. I’m going to let her borrow that dress I bought in New York. That should complete the effect." Rose smiled, already heading for the door.

"Rose! Wait! We have to finish the drawing!" Jack called, but Rose was already out of earshot. "Well, Becky, looks like we’ll have to finish that portrait later. Come. Let’s go help Mommy." Jack followed Rose into the house.

Two Days Later

It was the day of arrival for Nathan Hockley. Susan stood in front of Rose’s full length mirror, studying her image. She sighed. She didn’t look herself at all. She looked like one of those society girls she hated so much. She was wearing Rose’s purple dress with the lace shawl, and her hair was swept up in a cascade of curls.

"You look great, Susan." Rose appeared behind her.

"I do?"

"Susan, I know you’re not thrilled about this, and I don’t blame you. But just remember why you’re doing it. To keep Mr. Hockley from dragging Cal back to Philadelphia."

"You still don’t trust him not to hurt me, do you, Rose?" Susan turned to her friend.

"It’s not that, Susan. It’s just that…Cal was never very good at standing up to his father. This, at least, will make it easier for him." Rose sighed, placing her hand on Susan’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. It has to be."

Susan just nodded. The baby began to cry just as Jack entered the room.

"Don’t worry, Jack. I’ll get her." Rose quickly exited.

"You look nice." Jack smiled, crossing his arms. "Rose did a good job."

"I’m glad you approve," Susan replied sarcastically. "I don’t know if I can do this, Jack. I look at myself in the mirror and I just feel disgusted. I look like a swell, Jack! What’s next?"

"You’ll begin acting like one in an hour or two when Cal’s father gets here." Jack took a seat on the bed. "I did the same thing…sort of."

"You did? How?"

"I bought a suit and tie and wore that to my first meeting with Rose’s mother," Jack replied. "But since I wasn’t the rich Caledon Hockley, she wasn’t too happy to meet me."

"Oh, great."

"But it’ll be different with you, Susan. I mean, Rose and I were under different circumstances than you are now. We got married on the ship, while you two are just courting."

"That still won’t stop him from kicking me out of Cal’s life." Susan began to sob.

His heart going out to his friend, Jack went to her and comforted her. "Shh, Susan. Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup."

For some reason, coming from Jack, that comment was really funny. Susan had no choice but to burst out in laughter. Both she and Jack laughed and laughed until there was a slight knock at the door.

"I’ll get that." Rose poked her head through the door with six-month-old Rebecca in her arms.

"Wait for us!" Jack called, curious as to who could be at their door that early in the day. Both Rose and Jack gasped when they opened the door to Ruth DeWitt Bukater.

"Mother," Rose stammered, her eyes opened wide in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I came here with Nathan Hockley to collect his son, and thought I should come over to see if Caledon had succeeded in talking some sense into you." Ruth crossed her arms and stared at her daughter in displeasure. "But I see he has failed. You still insist on living like some…ordinary girl!"

"Mother, if you have come here to insult me and my family, you can leave!" Rose pointed out the door. "I did not ask for you to come here. You showed up on your own."

"I thought I could help Caledon by coming here and talking to you again. That maybe you’ve come to your senses after living the lower class lifestyle. Well, have you, Rose? Have you?" Ruth asked. Then she spotted Susan gaping at her from the top of the stairs. Suddenly, her frown turned into a gracious smile. "And who, may I ask, is this young lady? From high society, of course." Ruth pushed her way past Rose. "Hello. Let me introduce myself. I am Mrs. Ruth DeWitt Bukater. Rose’s mother. I’m very pleased to see my daughter has been associating with someone of substance after all. I do hope you’ve been a good influence on her…maybe talking her into returning to her position in Philadelphia."

"Mother, this is Susan Swallens. She’s a member of the richest family here in Chippewa Falls," Rose introduced her. "She’s the youngest member of the founding daughters, plus she’s attended Vassar…one of the finest universities in the US."

"Oh, my, what a résumé." Ruth touched her chest. "I’m sure your mother is very proud."

Susan nodded and looked at Rose questioningly. Rose just nodded, signaling that this was a chance to test her knowledge on being a society girl. "I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater." Susan nodded.

"How did you and my daughter come to meet?"

"Oh, it’s quite a story, Mother. You see, I was in the market, shopping for some groceries, when I got dizzy and fainted. Well, Susan’s driver came to my aid and brought me to Susan’s residence, where she nursed me back to health. We began talking and were thrilled to learn we had so much in common. We became fast friends soon after."

"Oh, I see. Well, I’m glad to see that my daughter has made one fine choice after making such a bad one earlier."

"Mother…" Rose said warningly.

"Here, Rose, I’ll take Rebecca back upstairs. It’s time for her morning nap." Jack took the smiling baby. Ruth noticed her for the first time and gasped.

"Rose…whose baby is that?"

"Don’t be stupid, Mother. She’s mine. I had her six months ago. Her name is Rebecca." Rose crossed her arms after Jack had taken the baby, but he didn’t make a move towards the stairs…just in case Ruth wanted to see more of her granddaughter. He wasn’t going to deny her that.

"Oh." Ruth nodded. "She’s beautiful, Rose. Except for the blonde hair and blue eyes, she’s the very image of you when you were that age."

"Thank you, Mother."

"Would you like to hold her?" Jack asked, ignoring the sharp look Rose threw his way.

Ruth stammered. "I’m not used to babies. It’s been so long since I held one…"

"That’s all right. It comes to you the minute they’re in your arms." Jack suddenly pushed the baby into Ruth’s arms.

"Wait…I’m…I’m…totally in love with this child." Ruth relaxed as the baby giggled at her, her blue eyes shining in delight, as if she had a joke only she understood. "What an adorable baby."

Rose stared at Ruth in shock. She had never seen her mother act like this before.

"Oh, Rose…she’s gorgeous. You must be very proud." Ruth was now absorbed in the baby.

"I am, Mother." Rose nodded.

"Why don’t you sit down, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater? I’m sure your feet are tired from the long walk up that path." Jack led her to the loveseat.

"Jack, why don’t you go ahead and escort Susan home? I’m sure she’s wanted there at this time," Rose replied.

Jack looked up at Rose and nodded. She walked to the door with Susan and whispered, "Seeing that my mother has come here with Mr. Hockley, he must be at the house by now. Listen, you did great just then. Just keep it up and even use the background story I just gave you. And don’t worry. Everything will be fine."

"Thank you, Rose. And good luck with your mother." Susan hugged her friend, and then she and Jack left, leaving Rose alone with Ruth.

"You really like her, Mother?" Rose asked, referring to the baby.

"She’s the most beautiful baby in the world. Look at those blue eyes. Have you ever seen anything like them in the world?"

"Yes. Her father. She has Jack’s eyes." Rose sighed. "And his hair color. But she’ll have my curls and smile."

"Rose…what can I say to you?" Ruth turned to her daughter. "When you showed up on my doorstep, married to someone other than Cal, I was so angry I felt like strangling you. But as time went by, I began to wonder what you were doing and whether you were happy. I tried to tell myself that I didn’t care. That you had made your bed and now you were going to sleep in it. But my curiosity has gotten the best of me. I had to see how you were coming along."

"Well, I’m coming along fine, Mother."

"Are you really, Rose? I mean, think about it. You’re a housewife now, stuck with a baby. I mean, don’t get me wrong, she’s a lovely baby, but you were never raised for this lifestyle."

"Maybe not, Mother, but I’m getting better every day. In fact, compared to where I was last year, I’ve improved a great deal!"

"I just wanted the best for you, Rose. That’s all." Ruth bowed her head.

"I do have the best, Mother. Jack’s the best husband I could ever ask for. And I’m more happy being a wife and mother to Jack and Rebecca than I ever would have been being a society girl married to Caledon Hockley."

Ruth nodded in understanding. "So even if I beg you to come back to Cal, it wouldn’t work."

Rose just shook her head. "Besides, Mother, even if I did change my mind, I doubt Cal would have me back. He’s in love with someone else. With Susan."

"You mean that girl?"

Rose nodded. "They’re very close and truly love each other."

"Well…we’ll see what Nathan has to say about that. If he doesn’t like her…well, she can forget it. I mean, her background is impressive, but she’s still obviously new money, and Nathan’s not one to accept new money. That girl has a lot to live up to."

"Well, Susan’s on her way." Jack grinned, coming into the room, and sensed the tension in the room. "Is there anything wrong?"

"No, darling." Rose took the baby from Ruth. "We were just talking about Cal and his father and his father’s disdain for new money."

"Oh," Jack simply replied, not wanting to get any deeper into the conversation.

*****

Nathan Hockley paced the floor, running his hand through his dark hair that was just beginning to thin. Cal sat, cowering before the towering man.

"So, tell me, Caledon, why can’t I see the paperwork from this business deal that you supposedly have going? Give me one good reason!" Nathan steamed. "I have every right to see the paperwork that involves my business!"

"Father, please." Cal cowered.

"Cal, I’ve returned!" Susan entered the room, remembering all the tips Rose had given her.

"Susan." Cal got to his feet.

"And who’s this?" Nathan boomed once again.

"Father, this is Susan Swallens. She’s the business I wanted to wrap up." Cal took her hand. "She’s my new fiancée."

"Fiancée? Whatever happened to Ruth’s daughter? You were supposed to come here and get her back and then return to Philadelphia."

"Well, Father…Rose isn’t as suitable as we thought. She’s much too wild. She refused to do as she was told, she wandered off without permission, she smoked when she got the chance…and she’s opinionated…nothing like the Hockley women at all," Cal explained. "Plus, she’s penniless. Ruth must have told you about their situation."

Nathan’s face turned red with extreme anger. "No, she hasn’t told me about their situation! Where did you hear this?"

"From Rose herself. Ruth was counting on our marriage so she could be saved from poverty. She forced Rose to agree to the relationship. That’s why Rose ran away. She didn’t love me and didn’t want the marriage."

"I’m going to have a long talk with that woman!" Nathan boomed. "How dare she think she can come into my family penniless! She had me believing she was well-off! That her daughter had a bountiful dowry!"

"That poor girl." Susan shook her head. "How horrid to have a mother so desperate for money that she’d sell her off to the highest bidder."

"I know, pumpkin, but there’s nothing we can do for her now. All that’s between herself and her mother."

"I was just over there. I must say, when I left, things were very tense between them. I just hope that baby doesn’t get caught in the crossfire." Susan raised her hand to her throat.

"Baby?" Nathan asked.

"Don’t worry, Father. The child is not mine. You see, Rose fell in love with another man in Southampton and married him instead…the child is his."

"Oh, yes, the poor boy Ruth was raging about." Nathan nodded.

"But enough about Rose, Father. I want to introduce you to Susan Swallens. My new fiancée." Cal placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Susan who?" Nathan turned his cold eyes on Susan, who resisted the urge to cringe away.

"Swallens." She offered her hand. "My family’s the oldest family here in Chippewa Falls…we’re also one of the richest."

"Funny. I keep tabs on all the rich families in the country and I’ve never heard of you." Nathan glared at her suspiciously. The fancy clothes and posture weren’t fooling him any. He always prided himself on spotting new money or imposters from afar. This girl was definitely an imposter, or maybe she was new money. But she obviously wasn’t suitable enough for his son.

"We just came into our fortune a couple of years ago," Susan began to stammer.

"Oh, really?" Nathan suspiciously asked. "And what fortune is that?"

Susan stepped closer to Cal as she raked her brain for something, anything. But it was no use. She couldn’t come up with anything. She sighed in defeat. She knew the charade was over before it could even begin. Nathan Hockley knew she was an imposter, just by the way he was glaring at her. It was best that she came out with the truth before she ended up embarrassing herself.

Stepping away from Cal, she turned to him. "I’m sorry, Cal. I just can’t do it. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not. Not even for you." She turned to Nathan Hockley, his beady black eyes boring into her. "Mr. Hockley…I have a confession. I’m not a rich society girl. I’m just a poor girl who helps her mother run this boarding house. I’m not some society dame who went to finishing school and belongs to all those prestigious clubs. I’m just a small town girl with nothing but what you see here. But I do love Cal and he loves me, and for the first time, he knows how to show his feelings. And I can give him the love and support that he needs."

"Caledon…get your things. We are leaving," Nathan growled, turning to his son.

"Father…"

"Say nothing. We’ll discuss this on the way home. Now, pack your things!"

Cal looked from Susan to his father and back again. He didn’t know what he should do. He didn’t want to leave Susan, but he knew the consequences of disobeying his father were dire. Oh, why couldn’t Susan just pretend to be new money or something. His father would still disapprove, but he wouldn’t stop Cal from seeing Susan again.

"What are you going to do?" Susan asked, her eyes showing no emotion.

"Let me try to talk to him alone," Cal said. "I’ll try to change his mind."

Susan nodded in understanding. "I’ll be at Rose’s. Stop by and let me know."

Cal nodded, watching her leave.

"How dare that girl think I’ll let her in my family! That she could pretend to be high society and marry my son!" Nathan paced the floor. "And what are you doing associating with her? You were to come here to collect your fiancée, Rose! And come back to Philadelphia! Not start some torrid affair with gutter trash!"

"She’s not gutter trash, Father. She is the woman I love." Caledon straightened his posture.

"Love? Marriage and love have nothing to do with each other! Marriage is a business deal, and marrying that girl is bad business!"

Caledon laughed. All fear of his father was indeed long gone. It had fled the moment he had called Susan gutter trash. "Business? And marrying the penniless Rose DeWitt Bukater was good business? Hah!"

"Mind your manners, Caledon."

"No, Father, you mind yours! I am not a little boy anymore, and for the first time, I’m not afraid of you! You know, I did love Rose, but your teachings and advice caused me to lose her! But now I’ve found Susan, and this time I’m not going to allow you to ruin this for me like you ruined my relationship with Rose!" Cal turned on his father. "How dare you come in here, insulting her like that? You have no right!"

"I have every right, Caledon! I’m still the head of this family and your father, and what I say goes, and I say you go upstairs, pack your things, and don’t even think of this girl! When we get to Philadelphia, I’ll hold a gala, and I’ll choose the girl to be Mrs. Caledon Hockley!"

"Think again, Father! You will not be choosing my bride for me, nor anything else, ever again! I’m finished with you and that blasted company! I’m staying here in Chippewa Falls, and I’m going to make Susan Swallens my wife! Whether you like it or not!"

"Well, then, be prepared to be cut off! You will not see one red cent of the Hockley money. You are no longer my son!" Nathan stood toe-to-toe with his son and angrily glared at him.

"Fine with me. Now, I suggest you leave and take Mrs. DeWitt Bukater with you. Rose doesn’t need that woman here to make her life miserable, too!"

Nathan just glared one more time at his son, then stormed out of the house and out of Cal’s life forever.

*****

Rose was sitting on her porch, comforting a distraught Susan. Both women were sure that Cal was going to obey his father and go back to Philadelphia. Rose didn’t even expect him to come say good-bye.

"I’m sorry, Rose. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to pull it off. I tried, but I think he saw through me, and there wasn’t any use trying to pretend anymore." Susan wiped away her tears.

"It’s all right, Susan. I should have known Nathan Hockley couldn’t be fooled that easily. Besides, you did the right thing. You shouldn’t have to pretend to be something you’re not for anybody, and if Cal doesn’t appreciate that…he can go jump off a bridge." Rose squeezed her friend’s shoulder. "Besides, maybe he’s not the one. Maybe you’re destined to be with someone like Jack."

Susan was about to open her mouth to say something when she spotted Cal walking up the dirt path. Both girls stood and stared at him in disbelief.

"I can’t believe it," Rose breathed as he walked up on the porch.

"Me, either," Susan confessed. "You came to say good-bye?"

"Of course not. I told my father that he either accepted us or he didn’t, but I wasn’t leaving Chippewa Falls without you." Cal took Susan into his arms.

"What did he say to that?" Rose asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

"Oh, he disowned me," Cal said matter-of-factly.

"And you decided to remain with me?" Susan asked incredulously. She knew Cal had changed, but not this much. She was in shock.

"Of course, dearest. Money can buy you a lot of things, but if losing Rose didn’t teach me anything else, it taught me this…money can’t buy you love, and never will."

"What can I say, Cal? I’m proud of you." Rose shook her head in amusement. "You must have been taking lessons from Jack on how to be a decent human being."

"Well, observing how he acts has helped some, but Susan’s love is what gave me the strength to stand up to the great Nathan Hockley." Cal laughed.

"What’s the big joke here?" Jack asked, coming out with Rebecca in his arms.

"Cal stood up to his father for once." Rose came over to Jack and kissed him.

"Really?"

"I’m now just as poor as the rest of you." Cal grinned.

"Well, good for you, Cal." Jack smiled and nodded in approval.

"What?" Ruth emerged from the house. "Cal’s poor? How did this happen?"

"Father disowned me, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater. He wanted me to leave Susan, but I refused."

"But why would he want you to leave Susan? She’s rich." Ruth looked the girl up and down.

"Uh…Mother, no, she’s not. She’s poor. You see, we were just putting you to the test to see if she could pull off being a society girl," Rose explained.

"You mean you never went to Vassar?" Ruth asked, disappointment in her eyes.

"Sorry, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater. I never even heard of Vassar until Rose mentioned it." Susan smiled sheepishly.

"And now Caledon’s poor, too." Ruth shook her head. "Well, let me go catch up with Nathan before he leaves."

"He’s already gone," Caledon replied. "He left as soon as I told him my decision."

"What? But he never came by to collect me." Ruth’s eyes grew wide.

"I told him about you being penniless and forcing Rose to marry me. Let’s just say he was less than pleased." Caledon went back to gazing into Susan’s eyes.

Ruth turned on Rose. "You see what you’ve done?"

"What did I do, Mother?" Rose asked.

"Just like your father! You know, he was selfish, too! He and his women never gave a second thought to his family!"

"How dare you speak about my father like that? He was a great man!"

"A great man? Indeed! He didn’t even really want you, Rose! That’s why he left us. He didn’t die. He left and took his money with him! That’s why we’re broke!"

"You’re lying." Rose shook her head, backing away from her mother. "Daddy would never leave me. Not like that."

"Oh, yes, he did. He left because of you…because you were too much responsibility and wouldn’t leave him alone!" Ruth advanced towards Rose. "It’s your fault! If you hadn’t been born, I would still be living in the lap of luxury, and if it wasn’t for your selfishness, I would still have a chance at it."

"Shut up." Rose began to sob.

"Ralph Bukater hated being a father…especially to a girl…and resented it that you weren’t a boy, so he left!"

"Shut up!"

"In fact, he even suggested we leave you on a stranger’s doorstep, but I wouldn’t have it, and yet he’s your favorite…it was him you always ran to, when he didn’t want anything to do with you!" Ruth’s voice had hit a high pitch.

"That’s enough!" Jack stepped in-between Ruth and Rose after handing Rebecca to Susan. "I think it’s time for you to leave!"

"What?" Ruth asked, her anger turning into confusion. Jack had always been polite and quiet. She had never seen him angry before, but he was now.

"No one comes into my house talking to my wife like that, and I’m not going to have you doing it, either! I don’t care if you are her mother. Now, get off my property and never come back! If you do, I’ll call the police and you can spend a couple of days in jail!" Jack pointed down the dirt path.

"Where will I stay?" Ruth’s voice was now a mere squeak. She was no longer the frightening creature that had been spitting fire at Rose. She was now a scared little mouse seeking shelter from Jack’s anger.

"That’s not our concern," Jack said. "I don’t care where you stay, you just can’t stay here. Now leave."

"Rose." Ruth looked for her, but saw that her daughter had disappeared into the house. She had obviously gone too far. She had lost the only family she had left.

"I think you better leave now, Ruth." Cal came up behind Ruth. "You’ve done enough damage."

"But I have nowhere to go." Ruth turned to Cal.

"You can stay at my mother’s boarding house for a couple of days until you can get tickets back to Philadelphia," Susan spoke up. "It’s just a couple of miles down the road there. Wait for a couple of minutes and Cal and I will take you," Susan spoke up, ignoring the sharp look Cal threw her way.

Ruth just nodded and began down the path.

"I want her out of Chippewa Falls as soon as possible." Jack looked at Susan. "If you buy her a ticket out of here…I’ll pay you back as soon as possible."

"I’ll buy the ticket." Cal nodded. "And you don’t have to pay me back. It’ll be my pleasure. It’s the least I can do for you two."

"Thanks, Cal," Jack said, taking his daughter away from Susan. "We really appreciate this."

Cal just nodded. "Tell Rose we said good-bye."

"I will." Jack watched them leave.

Sighing, he went up, put Rebecca into her cradle, and went to check on Rose, who was just sitting on the bed, staring into space.

"Rose?" Jack sat next to her, placing a strong arm around her shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"She’s lying, Jack. She just has to be. Daddy loved me. He wouldn’t have just up and left like that. Would he?"

"Rose…"

"True, I never saw him sick. I didn’t see his body, either, but that’s because I was just a child. He wouldn’t just up and leave like she said. I mean, we did everything together. We went camping, we played sports…we…" Rose began to sob as she realized that what she had thought was love and affection really had been reluctance. Her father had never even told her he loved her, nor had he shown any kind of normal affection towards her. Realizing this, she began to sob. What her mother had said could have been correct. Her mother could have told her that he had died just to protect her.

"Oh, Rose, don’t cry. It’s all right." Jack held her tightly, stroking her hair and rocking her like she was a child.

"He didn’t love me, did he, Jack? He never did!" Rose sobbed.

"I’m sure he did, Rose. Your mother was lying. She had to be. You were probably your father’s pride and joy." Jack soothed her and stroked her hair, but nothing he said did any good. A half hour later, Rose had cried herself to sleep. Jack lifted her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. After covering her up, he went downstairs and started dinner.

One hour later, Rose woke up to a dark room and the delicious smell of a cooking roast. Jack must be cooking dinner. Yawning, she got out of bed, crept into the nursery, and looked down at her cooing baby. Looking down at the baby girl, Rose began to think of Jack’s mother. What kind of mother had she been? Would she have liked Rose? Would she have loved Rose like her own mother should have? At that last thought, Rose burst into tears again. She had never before felt so alone. Leaving the nursery, Rose went back into her room, laid back down, and let the tears flow. She was about to drift back to sleep when Jack entered with a plate full of food.

"I brought you dinner." Jack smiled, sitting next to her.

"I’m not really hungry." Rose wiped away a stray tear.

"Oh, come on, Rosie. You have to eat something. Keep your strength up. Please, Rose…for me…for Becky. Eat." Jack scooped up some mashed potatoes with a fork and held them out in front of Rose. "I’ll even feed you, if that’s what you want."

Rose had to stifle a laugh at how he said that. His eyes were pleading with her, his smile enticed her…she had no choice but to give in. Jack happily grinned as she accepted his offer. One hour later, they were finished and she was safely cuddled in his arms.

"Feel better?" Jack asked, kissing the top of her head.

"A little." Rose smiled. "How could I not feel better when you hold me in your arms like this? I love you so much, Jack."

"I love you, too, Rose. I’ll love you forever."

"Jack…about what my mother said…"

"Rose…"

"I need to check it out, Jack. I have to find out if what she said was true, because if I don’t…I don’t think I can ever be truly happy." Rose sighed.

"What if you find out it’s true?" Jack asked. "Are you ready to deal with that?"

"Yes. Of course. At least I’ll know and I can put it behind me. Jack, to be truthful, all I ever need is your love. As long as I have you and Becky, I’ll be fine. I don’t need him if he doesn’t want me. I don’t want him."

"Okay. Fine, Rose. If that’s what you want, I’ll stand behind you all the way and I’ll be here for you. I promise." Jack tightened his hold on her. "I’ll talk to Cal about it tomorrow. Have him give us the name of that private detective of his."

"Thank you, Jack." Rose looked up at her husband and kissed him passionately. "This means everything to me."

"I know." Jack smiled.

They stay locked in the embrace until both fell asleep, ready for whatever life threw at them next.

Chapter Nineteen
Stories