A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Thirty-Eight
"Tell me." Jack put his arm around
Rose's shoulders. "Did you have a good time?"
"It was the best year of my life."
Jack kissed the top of her head. "Mine,
too. But you know something?"
"What?"
"I was a little disappointed."
"Why?" Rose asked, baffled.
"People always say how beautiful the
world is. But looking at you, everything pales in comparison."
Rose blushed and kissed Jack's neck. When she
looked over the crowd she gasped. "Jack, there they are!"
Jack smiled. He watched Rose run into
Maggie's arms. The two women embraced tightly and were talking so rapidly he
couldn't make out a word. He walked to Brian and gave him a hug. The two men
watched their wives, who were crying and laughing at the same time.
"I missed you so much," Rose said.
"I missed you more." Maggie hugged
her again. "Come on, let's go home. I made a feast. So you better be
hungry. And you can tell me all about the things you didn't put in your
letters." She stopped and looked at Rose. "Oh, God. It's been a whole
year. I'm so glad you're home."
The four friends went home and spent the
entire evening catching up. Jack and Rose gave them all the presents they had
bought and stayed up until five AM. They were all amazed to find that no matter
how much time had passed or how many oceans were in between them nothing had
changed. They were still as close as ever.
*****
1916 proved to be an eventful year. In
January, one of the costume girls quit the theater. After days of persuasion,
Rose persuaded Erik to hire her. She was so excited she could barely contain
herself. When she began her job, the first thing she was asked to do was sew
Tim's costume. Rose had always been friendly with him, but now that she was
working with him she found him to be even more charming, and they grew closer.
She would often eat lunch with him and Jack. And Jack was happy that if he was
busy Rose would have someone to eat with. Tim was always more than willing to
spend time with Rose when she was alone.
Rose read that in March Ivy Hockley gave
birth to a son, Edward Nathan Hockley. She was happy that he had the son he
always wanted, but she was leery that there would be another Hockley man in the
world.
In June, Jean took ill, as did Anita, her
understudy. Erik was ready to cancel the opening of the company's
interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. However, Rose spoke up, and said she
knew the play by heart. She also fit into Jean's costume. So on Wednesday, June
7, 1916, Tim Calvert and Rose Dawson starred as the doomed lovers. It opened to
rave reviews. Critics praised the passionate, beautiful newcomer. They were
equally amazed with the longing that Calvert projected. "He actually seems
to be in love with her," one critic stated. The Backstage Players had a new
member and Rose was it.
This was all exciting, but the biggest news
of the year was yet to come.
August, 1916
Rose stared at Maggie and Brian. She and Jack
had gotten home from work about an hour ago. Now all four were sitting in the
downstairs living room. Rose was baffled by Maggie and Brian's behavior. Brian
was running his fingers through Maggie's hair. She was smiling brightly at him.
They were normally affectionate, but never this much. Jack was equally curious.
"Is there something you wanted to tell
us?" Rose asked.
Maggie and Brian smiled at one another.
"Should we?" Brian asked.
Maggie nodded and turned to Rose and Jack.
"Brian and I are going to have a baby."
Rose's jaw dropped. She was silent for a
moment. Then she screamed. "That's wonderful!" She jumped out of her
seat and gave Maggie a hug. "I'm so happy for you! Oh, this is
fantastic!"
Maggie beamed. "Rose, Jack. Brian and I
decided we want you two to be the godparents."
"Of course. We would love to." Jack
smiled.
Rose sat down next to Maggie. "This will
be so exciting."
Maggie giggled. "I know. We have to get
baby clothes and toys. Brian will make the furniture. I can't wait."
Brian moved over to where Jack was sitting.
He turned to his best friend. "This will change a lot of things."
"For the better," Jack said,
without missing a beat. He smiled at Brian. "You'll be a wonderful
father."
"I hope so. I have a lot to live up to.
My father and Maggie's father were incredible men."
Jack put his hand on Brian's shoulder.
"You're an incredible man, too."
Brian smiled. "Thank you." He got
up walked over to the window and looked out at the street. "I can't
wait."