Victoria
After Jason was finished telling everyone how he involved Father and Shannon with his plan, Mrs. Miller cooked a fantastic dinner for everyone. Anna and James fell asleep fairly quickly and Shannon wasn't too far behind. My father, Jason, Jack, Rose, Harry, and I spent the better part of the evening discussing our plan about Cal.
I volunteered to keep James for the night so Rose and Jack could enjoy their alone time. Jason was sure that he could get the charges dropped, but Jack asked that they be given their privacy tonight. It pained me to watch Rose go through of all of this, but I knew that it would all work out.
After Jack and Rose left for the night, my father decided that since my sister was already asleep they would stay with Harry and me. After that, my father had his driver take Jason to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel for the night.
The next morning, Harry was still asleep in bed next to me. I happened to glance up at the clock on the wall in our bedroom and I noticed that it was past seven and Anna hadn't awakened me yet. Not wanting to alarm Harry, I put on my slippers and robe and quietly walked by the guest room where Father was to get to Anna's room. As I got to the door, I could hear Anna laughing and assumed that she and James were both up and were keeping each other entertained. I quietly opened the door and saw my sister on the floor with both James and Anna. Shannon had gotten a blanket off of the bed that we had set up for her and had spread it out in the floor. James was holding a rattle in his left hand while Shannon had her arms around Anna, who was in her lap.
I stood back in the doorway and quietly watched as my sister played with the two babies. "You'll make an excellent mother one day, Shannie."
Shannon jumped at the sound of my voice. "Torie, you scared me."
When Anna heard my voice, she started laughing and holding her hands out to me, begging for me to pick her up. I took her from Shannon, sat down in the rocking chair, and watched Shannon on the floor with James. "How long have you been up?"
Shannon was playfully trying to take the rattle away from James, who was responding by laughing and shaking his rattle to tease my sister into trying to take it again. "Not long. Anna started cooing, and I didn't want her to wake you up, so I changed her for you. James woke up when I was putting Anna back in her crib. I changed him, too." My sister turned to look at me, wrinkling her nose as she remembered what she had done. "And you will pay back that debt one day. I promise."
I smiled as Shannon continued her game of tug of war with James and his rattle. We were in Anna's room another twenty minutes or so when Harry knocked on the door. "There you are. I woke up and you were already gone. Good morning." He leaned down to kiss me and Shannon groaned. "What?"
Shannon shook her head. "There are children in the room."
Harry smiled as he took Anna from me. Shannon picked up James and together we all went downstairs for breakfast.
"There are my grandbabies." My father, already dressed, came into the kitchen. "I was just heading out to check on Mr. Wright and realized that before I left, I wanted a chance to see my daughters, my son-in-law, and my grandchildren. Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Father. Will you be staying for breakfast? Mrs. Miller will be here any moment and she makes a wonderful breakfast."
My father kissed Shannon and me before reaching out to Anna. She squealed in delight, clapping her hands together as Harry handed our daughter over to my father. "No. Not today. I need to go check on Mr. Wright and I have a few things to do in the city." Father kissed Anna before handing her back to Harry so he could get his namesake from Shannon. "I would appreciate you, your sister, and Harold joining me for lunch this afternoon at the Waldorf-Astoria. Please extend the invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson as well."
"Yes, sir. What time?"
My father was bouncing James in his arms. "Noon? Will that be sufficient time? Will Mrs. Miller be able to watch the children, or do I need to send someone from the hotel?"
"Shannon, Harry, and I will be ready by then, and I'll tell Jack and Rose when they come to get James. I do not see a problem with Mrs. Miller staying with James and Anna."
My father said he'd see us at noon before he turned and left the house.
Mrs. Miller showed up shortly after my father left and began to cook us breakfast after she agreed to watch the babies. Jack and Rose came over a little bit later and joined us for breakfast.
I couldn't help but notice that Rose didn't eat much, but didn't want to bring it up in front of everyone. James became fussy during breakfast and I excused myself to check on him.
I found Rose sitting in my rocking chair in Anna's room. James was about asleep when Rose stood up to put him down for a nap. "Torie, hello." Rose put the blanket over James and motioned for me to step out of the room so we could speak. "Thank you for keeping James last night. Jack and I are most appreciative."
"You're very welcome." I sat down on the edge of the bed and motioned for Rose to do the same. "Not to intrude, but I noticed that at breakfast you hardly ate. Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm fine. It's just that I...well, I think I am with child again."
"Rose!" I said her name a bit louder than I meant to. I hugged Rose tightly. "Congratulations. Does Jack know?"
She shook her head. "Not yet. I wanted to make sure before I told him. I thought I was with child a few months ago. Jack was so excited, but as it turned out, I wasn't, and I could see the defeat in Jack's eyes. We've already got so much to worry about with Cal and Mother that I didn't want to add to it until I knew for sure if I was or not."
"How do you feel?"
"Well, my morning sickness is back like it was when I was pregnant with James. It wasn't this severe when I thought I was pregnant a few months ago, plus now, I have the strangest cravings for apples and chicken."
I laughed. "Now, that's a new one to me. When do you think you plan on telling Jack?"
"Soon." Rose took my hands in hers. "Please do not tell Jack or Harry. I want to wait until I know for sure."
"Absolutely. Speaking of meals, my father requested that Jack and you, plus Harry, my sister, and I all meet him for lunch at the Waldorf-Astoria with Mr. Wright for lunch. Do you and Jack have plans?"
Rose turned around as she heard heavy footsteps on the wooden boards of the steps. "That's probably Harry. Please don't say anything."
I quickly shook my head. "I won't. I promise." I barely got that said when Harry came in. "Harry."
"Everything all right?"
Rose and I stood up as I cast a glance at Rose to let her know her secret was safe with me. "Fine. James was fussy. I was helping Rose calm him down."
Harry cast a glance at me letting me know that he knew something else was going on, but I knew that he wouldn't say anything to me in front of Rose.
Since we were going to the Waldorf-Astoria, I had Mrs. Miller help me into a dark purple silk dress. My father had sent over a few new dresses right after Anna was born. I kept my eyes closed as Mrs. Miller pulled the laces of my corset as gently as possible. I remembered that one of the last times I wore a corset was at my wedding. I focused on the memories of that day to take my mind off of the pain my corset was causing.
"Torie?"
"Rose. It's all right. I'm in here."
Rose stepped into my bedroom and stood to one side as Mrs. Miller tied off the laces of my corset. "I'll be getting to you, Mrs. Dawson, as soon as I'm finished with Mrs. Lowe." Rose stood behind me as Mrs. Miller finished with my hair and helped me with my dress. She had just closed the last button on my dress when Anna started crying.
"I'll get her. You let Mrs. Miller finish." Rose laid the light blue silk dress she had brought over on my bed as she excused herself to tend to Anna.
A few minutes later, she came back in and said she gave Anna her afternoon bottle. As Rose took my place at the edge of the bed, Mrs. Miller reached for Rose's corset. "Mrs. Miller?"
"Yes, dear? Arms up, please." Rose put her hands on one of the posts of my bed as Mrs. Miller wrapped the corset around Rose's body.
"Mrs. Miller, I may be in a family way. Will the corset hurt the baby if I am?"
"Mrs. Dawson! Congratulations are in order for you and Mr. Dawson." Mrs. Miller spun Rose around and hugged her before she started in on tying the corset. "We'll leave it loose in case you are in a family way. Wouldn't want to hurt the wee one."
Mrs. Miller left Rose's corset loose enough to keep the baby safe, but tight enough so Rose's dress could still be worn. After she finished styling Rose's hair, we said good-bye to our children before joining Shannon, Harry, and Jack downstairs.
Shannon was of an age now where she had to wear a corset when we went to a social event. I could tell by the expression on her face that she wasn't used to the sensation of pain the corset gave her. While Jack and Harry waited outside for the car, Rose and I gave Shannon some helpful information about how to appear like a young lady while wearing the corset.
My father had sent his driver back to take us to the Waldorf-Astoria. Harry helped Shannon and me into the car as the driver held the door open. After I got in, Harry got in so Jack could help Rose. After Jack was safely in the car, the driver got in and we proceeded to the hotel.
The drive passed by quickly. I asked Shannon to tell me about her schooling on the ride to the hotel. She was thorough in her details and I could tell she was enjoying her time in finishing school.
The car stopped in front of the hotel. I waited on the driver of the car to open the door. Harry got out first and helped Shannon and me out. Shannon stood on Harry's left and I took Harry's right arm so he could escort the two of us in. As the Renault drove off, I looked over my shoulder as Rose and Jack followed us into the hotel a few steps behind.
The attendant at the door held it open so we could enter. Even though I had been to the Waldorf-Astoria on more than one occasion, I always felt my heart skip a beat when I walked into the grand lobby. My father and Jason were seated in front of the stone fireplace as they waited on us to arrive. "Father?"
"There you all are. I'm pleased you have all made it on time. Rose, Shannon, and Victoria, you look wonderful. Simply wonderful." Father greeted Shannon and me before greeting Rose and shaking both Harry and Jack's hands. "This way. We have a reservation in one of the dining halls."
I followed my father and Jason. My father escorted Shannon as Jason followed them in. As Jason walked, I couldn't help but notice that Father had apparently purchased Jason a new tuxedo so he would fit in with Harry and Jack.
The wait staff in the dining room we were in seated all of us before filling our drink glasses. Rose declined the champagne and instead, asked for a glass of water. "Rose?"
Rose looked at Jack. "I have an announcement to make." I looked at Rose and she nodded her head. "Since we are here to celebrate, I need to add my own bit of good news." She turned to face Jack, "Jack, I wanted you to know that I believe I am in a delicate condition again."
I broke out in a smile as I heard my sister gasp. My father clapped his hands together. "Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson!" My father raised his glass. "A toast. To Mr. and Mrs. Dawson on their joyous news."
We toasted the good news as it finally started to sink in for Jack. "A baby. We're going to have another baby." He leaned over and kissed Rose at the table. "I love you, Rose."
Rose was slightly embarrassed. "I love you, too."
The wait staff brought out the meal and we had a nice conversation as we ate. My father caught Harry and me up on the events happening in Philadelphia, which Rose paid attention to as well, since in her former life, she was from that area. While we waited on dessert, Jason stood up to excuse himself, stating he needed to get a newspaper. While he was gone, my father told me that Jason was working on a way to get Jack out of the legal troubles he was in and he'd let us know when Jason had finalized his plans.
Jason returned momentarily with his newspaper, sat back down at the table, and began to read as we waited on the wait staff to bring out the dessert. Jason had started in on his second cup of coffee when he saw something that caught his eye. "Mr. Hockley and his son and his son's daughter are in the paper."
"Excuse me?" Rose perked up at the information Jason had just revealed. "Cal has a daughter?"
"Yes. Quite charming, really."
"I wasn't even aware he got married. I knew one of the last pieces of news I heard about him was that he was engaged some Philadelphia debutante, but that was all I heard. He moves quickly."
"Apparently very quickly. The daughter appears to be four."
Rose was confused. "Cal doesn't have a daughter that old. He couldn't have. That would mean she was with us when the Titanic sailed. It hasn't been four years since the ship sank, and believe me, I would have remembered if Cal had a daughter that old."
Jason took in Rose's look of confusion. "According to what I saw before I left the Hockley estate, he did, and according to this, he does." He folded the newspaper and handed it to a member of the wait staff to bring to Rose. "Her name is Abigail Hockley. She's four years old. Mr. Hockley had sent her to live at a boarding school during the time I was there."
Rose took the newspaper out of the waiter's hands. "I don't know who this is, but it's not his daughter."
I asked Rose to hand me the newspaper so I could view the article. "Could this be a niece?"
"No. He doesn't have any nieces or cousins that young." Rose took the newspaper back from me and read the rest of the story as a smile started to slowly spread across her face. "I think we have the information we need to get the charges against Jack dropped."