IN THE ARMS OF A STRANGER
Chapter Twenty-Five

Looking Out Towards the Future
One Year Later

Rose sighed happily as she watched her husband and father play a friendly game of poker and her stepmother and siblings play with Becky and Antonio. She couldn’t help but think of the past year, from finding out more of Jack’s past, getting shot, joining the Women’s Movement…finding her father, who she had thought died…it all seemed like a dream to her now. And here she was still, watching the people she loved most in the world getting along together.

"Rose, your husband sure knows how to play a good game of poker. He really gave me a run for my money." Ralph Bukater laughed good-naturedly. The relationship with his son-in-law was a good one. He couldn’t help but like the optimistic young man who had captured his eldest daughter’s heart and freed her from her gilded cage.

"But you are far better than I am, sir. You’ve practically taken all I have." Jack laughed, smiling brightly at his wife. "Now, how shall I buy Rose that necklace she’s been wanting?"

Rose laughed and shook her head. "You two. Sometimes I think Mother was right when she said poker was an evil game."

"She was one to talk," Ralph playfully pointed out.

Rose felt a hint of sadness at the mention of her mother. Ruth DeWitt Bukater had died a couple of months ago, not once speaking another word to her daughter since that day she had argued with her. Rose, at the time, couldn’t have cared less if she ever heard from her mother again, but when she had received the telegram stating her mother’s death and the poor conditions she had been living under…Rose felt terrible regret. Jack had spent hours upon hours comforting his distraught wife. If only things had been different…if only Rose had made a step towards reconciliation instead of holding onto her anger. But now it was too late, and her mother was gone forever. There was never going to be a time for reconciliation. At least she had her father. Rose was surprised at how close she had grown to her father’s family. It was as if she'd been with them forever. She adored her brother and sister, and her stepmother was more of a mother to her than Ruth had ever been, giving her advice on Becky and on how to make the perfect romantic setting for a tired husband.

"Rose, Fabri said that he and Kate will be by for Antonio in a couple of hours." Jack got up from the chair.

"I still can’t believe they moved all the way to Eau Claire." Rose shook her head. "I mean, that’s so far away."

Jack had to laugh. "Not all that far, sweetie. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Besides, we go there practically every day, so you shouldn’t be missing them all that much."

"And Cal and Susan are gone, too. Six months now. I wonder how they’re finding Ohio. And leaving so soon after the wedding."

"I got a letter from Susan this morning. She finds Ohio very pretty and interesting. The people remind her a lot of the people here. But she has yet to find friends like us." Jack laughed. "And get this—Caledon Hockley is working in a factory. I think it’s a competitor of his father’s. Susan says he’s loving it."

Rose shook her head in amusement. Who would have thought…the great Caledon Hockley working in a factory. She had to laugh. "I must say I’m surprised."

"Sounds like a story we could tell our children." Jack grinned.

Rose gasped, remembering the secret she'd been keeping from Jack for the past couple of days. It was time to tell him. Looking at her father, she smiled. "Daddy, may I see Jack alone for a moment, please? We have something to discuss."

"We do?" Jack furrowed his brow. He was curious as to what his wife had to share with him.

"Mmm-hmm." Rose nodded.

"All right. See you two in there, you crazy lovebirds." Ralph waved as Rose led Jack out onto the porch.

"Okay, Rosie. What is this all about?" Jack crossed his arms.

Rose smiled secretively. "Jack…how do you feel about another child to go along with our daughter?"

"Huh?"

Rose stepped closer and placed an arm around his neck. "Jack…you know how I haven’t been feeling up to power for the past couple of weeks?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah. You had me worried there for a while."

Rose nodded. "Well, the other day I went to the doctor, and he found something."

Jack’s eyes widened with fear. "What is it? Is it consumption?"

Rose laughed. "No, it’s not consumption. But it is something…something wonderful. Jack…you’re going to be a daddy again."

"What?" Jack’s eyes got even rounder. "Another baby?"

Rose nodded.

"Wahoo!" Jack picked his wife up and spun her about. "A baby! We’re going to have a baby!"

"Jack! Put me down!" Rose laughed.

"A baby." Jack gently set her down. "Wait ‘til I tell Fabri."

"Oh, Jack, I’m so happy. I never thought I could be this happy, until I met you." Rose laid her head on his shoulder as he pulled her tightly to him.

"Me, either, Rose. When I was a wanderer out there in the world, I knew I was looking for something, but I didn’t know what. Then you came into my life, and I knew exactly what it was I’d been missing. A family. A woman to love and children to raise. A home to share with a wife. I love you, Rose, and I’m so grateful to you for all of this."

"I love you, too, Jack. You’ve given me so much more than I’ve given you, and I don’t know how to repay you. When I look towards my future, I see nothing but you and our children."

"It’s the same for me, Rose. When I look at our future, I see years of happiness and love to come. No matter what, Rose, we’ll always be together, loving each other to our fullest capacity."

"Here’s to looking out towards the future, Jack." Rose kissed him tenderly, running a hand through his hair.

Jack pulled away and smiled. "To the future." He kissed her even more passionately. Together, they slipped back into the house and up the stairs without being seen. In their room, they revisited the stars and basked in the glow of their ever-burning love.

The End.

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