JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Fifty-Three

April 25, 1915

Dianna knocked on the Dawson's front door. She waited patiently until Rose opened the door. "Rose, darling, you shouldn't be up like this," she said, without a hello.

Rose smiled. "I know. But Jack's out back and obviously couldn't hear the door."

Dianna shook her head and grabbed Rose's hand. "Come on, you're going to lay down right now." Rose weakly let Dianna lead her into the living room.

"What are you doing here?" Rose asked, as she lay down on the couch.

"Just checking up on you. And, I brought some dinner, since I figured you didn't want to cook, and Jack probably can't make much," Dianna answered, setting the container she had been carrying on the kitchen counter. "Would you like anything now?" she asked, turning her back to Rose and opening the icebox, looking to see what the Dawsons had.

Rose shook her head. "No thanks, Di. I am not really hungry."

Dianna jumped around suddenly and snapped her fingers. "That's a sign--no appetite. I couldn't eat twenty-four hours before I had Meaghan. Maybe you're gonna have the baby soon."

Rose sighed. "I hope so," she said.

Dianna smiled and came over. She studied Rose. She didn't look too comfortable. Dianna patted Rose's stomach. "I know, I know," she said.

"Dianna?"

"Yeah?"

"I...well...how hard is it to...you know...actually have the baby?" Rose asked.

Dianna shook her head. "It's not easy, I'll tell you that. But it's worth it, Rose. And Jack is going to be there the whole time. You're going to be fine."

Rose smiled. "Thank you."

Dianna smiled back. "No problem." She got up and squeezed Rose's hand. "I am going to go. Let me know if anything happens, all right?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah, okay. Thanks for coming, Di."

Dianna smiled. "Like I said, no problem. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Bye," Rose called after her, as Dianna left. Just then, Jack came through the back door, followed closely behind by Addy.

"Hey," he said, coming over and kissing Rose on the head.

"Hi," Rose said, moving her feet so that Jack could sit down.

"Feeling okay?" he asked. He knew that the past couple of nights she hadn't slept well, and today she had an uncomfortable look on her face.

Rose shrugged. "Not great, but not bad."

Jack patted her stomach. "You're going to be fine."

"That's what Dianna said," Rose mumbled, laying her head down and closing her eyes.

"She was here?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, she just left," Rose said, putting her hand on her huge stomach. "She brought over some dinner."

Jack got up and looked at what Dianna had brought. It was a big thing of ready-made pasta with cheese grated over the top. "Mmm. This looks good. She didn't have to do that," Jack said, as he put the pasta in the icebox.

"Yes, it was very nice of--"

Jack suddenly heard Rose moan and he spun around. Rose was standing up by the coach, holding her stomach. There was a shocked and scared look on her face that Jack would never forget. "What happened?" he asked, running over.

"My water just broke," Rose whispered, her voice shaky.

Jack's eyes dilated open and he looked down. Sure enough, under Rose's feet, the carpet was wet. Jack took a deep breath. "Okay," he said, "let's get you upstairs." He took Rose's shaking hand and helped her move slowly toward the stairs. Jack could feel her body trembling as they made their way up the stairs and toward their bedroom. He got her to lie down and then he took off her socks.

"Jack...Jack, listen to me," Rose whispered.

Jack looked at her and nodded.

"You need to go and call Dianna, and then tell her to call Dr. Lennox. She has her phone number."

Jack nodded and kissed Rose on the forehead. "I'll be right back," he whispered, squeezing her hand.

Rose nodded and closed her eyes. Jack ran down stairs and into the kitchen, where the phone was hooked to the wall. He didn't want to admit it, but he was almost as scared as Rose was. Jack dialed Dianna and Bryan's phone number, and waited impatiently as the operator connected them. After two rings, someone at the Foster house picked up.

"Hello," came Dianna's clear voice.

"Dianna, hi, it's Jack. Listen, Rose just went into labor."

Dianna gasped. "Did she? Okay, I'll be over in a minute."

"Wait, Dianna," Jack said.

"Yeah?"

"Rose said that you should call Dr. Lennox," he said.

"Oh, right, all right, okay, I'll do that," Dianna promised.

"Thanks Di," Jack whispered over the phone.

"You're welcome. I'll be right over, okay? Bye."

"Yeah, bye," Jack said, hanging up the phone. Taking a deep breath, he ran up the stairs to take care of Rose.

*****

Dianna finished talking Dr. Lennox, hung up the phone as fast as she could, and ran into the kitchen. She grabbed her coat and shrugged into it. "Bryan!" she yelled, running into the living room. "Bryan, I gotta go. Rose went into labor," Dianna gasped, looking at Bryan.

Bryan's eyes grew. "Oh, my God, she did?"

Dianna nodded and ran over. "You can come over later, I guess," she said, kissing her husband on the cheek. "Bring Meaghan, too, just keep downstairs. I don't think Rose would like it if she had a little audience."

Bryan nodded and picked Meaghan up off the floor. "Bye," he said, waving.

Dianna waved and disappeared out the door. She ran down the street and up to Jack and Rose's house. She pushed open the door without knocking and ran up stairs. "Hi," Dianna panted, coming into Jack and Rose's room. She saw Jack sitting by the bed talking quietly to Rose, who was breathing heavily.

"Hi, Dianna," Jack said, coming over.

"Hello. How are you, Rose?" Dianna asked, taking off her coat and putting it on a nearby chair.

Rose gave Dianna a weak smile and then cringed as a contraction hit her. Jack rushed over and took her hand. Together they counted how long the contraction lasted.

Once that was over, Dianna said, "I called Dr. Lennox. She said she'll be over soon."

"Thank you, Dianna." Rose's voice came weakly from the bed.

Dianna walked over and looked at Rose. She looked more uncomfortable than Dianna had ever seen her. Rose's hair was sticking to her head because she was sweating so much, her eyes looked scared, and she was breathing heavily.

"Okay, Rose. I am going to go get the stuff to be ready for the doctor," Dianna said, squeezing Rose's hand. "Do you want anything?"

Rose shook her head frantically and squeezed Jack's hand. Dianna nodded and left the room. Jack got up and brushed Rose's hair away from her face.

"Jack," Rose whispered. "I need your help. I don't know if I can do this. Oh, it hurts, Jack. I am so scared."

Jack kissed his wife's forehead and then looked at her with concern. "Sweetheart, you can do this. No, we can do this. I am not going to leave your side, I promise. Now, I am scared too, but we are going to do this together."

Rose nodded, somewhat calmer now. "I love you, Jack. Thank you."

Jack kissed her hand. "I love you, too. Now, do you think you can get into your nightgown? You might be more comfortable."

Rose nodded and then cringed. Jack, still holding Rose's hand, grabbed her cotton nightgown from the floor where it had been thrown that morning. With cringing and groaning from Rose, Jack got her out of her skirt and blouse and into her nightgown. Rose then lay back against the pillows and took a deep breath.

Suddenly, Dianna came in carrying twine and towels, walking in on Jack kissing Rose's forehead again. "Geez, guys, can't you please wait until after the baby?"

"Oh, Dianna don't make me laugh," Rose groaned, a small shaky smile formed on her face.

Dianna smiled. "Sorry. Look, I got some water boiling."

"Thanks," Jack mumbled.

Suddenly, they all heard Rose groan and Jack watched as her face protested in pain. She squeezed her husband's hand and Jack watched as her eyes squeezed shut. A couple of seconds later, she relaxed a little and released Jack's hand. Dianna and Jack then spent the next twenty minutes comforting, waiting on, and just sitting and being there for Rose. Finally, they all heard a knocking coming from downstairs.

"I'll get it," Dianna said, "it's probably Dr. Lennox." She ran out of the room and down the stairs. Throwing open the door, Dianna asked, "Are you Dr. Lennox?"

The lady smiled. "I sure am."

"Hi," Dianna said, motioning for the doctor to come in. "I'm Dianna Foster, Rose and Jack's friend. I am here kind of as an aide because for one, Rose won't let Jack leave her side, and two, because Rose is my best friend."

Dr. Lennox laughed, "Well, pleased to meet you, Dianna Foster."

Dianna smiled. "Rose is upstairs. Jack, too. We've been waiting."

Dr. Lennox smiled as they started upstairs. "So, how far along is Rose?"

Dianna shrugged. "I don't think she's very far. She's been in labor for only an hour or so."

Dr. Lennox shook her head. "That doesn't always mean anything. I've seen people in labor for only forty-five minutes before they're ready to push."

Dianna nodded. "I see."

Dr. Lennox was then shown the way to Rose and Jack's room. She opened the door and found Rose lying in bed, Jack at her side.

"Hello, there," Dr. Lennox said, setting her bag down and walking over to the heavily breathing Rose.

"Hello, Callie," Rose whispered, trying to smile.

"Hmm, Rose, seems like we're having a baby."

"Looks that way, doesn't it," Rose said sarcastically.

Dr. Lennox smiled. She was used to women saying sarcastic and rude things when they were in labor. She patted Rose's hand. "Let's just see how far along you are, okay…huh."

While Dr. Lennox was checking Rose, Jack brushed her hair away from her face. He watched as Rose closed her eyes and sighed. Dianna just stood by and watched Dr. Lennox work. A minute later, Dr. Lennox stood up straight and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, Rose, you're only dilated at about four centimeters. It's still gonna be a little while."

Rose groaned and shook her head. Another contraction hit a few seconds later and Rose groaned louder and squeezed Jack's hand. Jack watched as her whole body protested in pain and then relaxed a minute later. He sighed, and then lay down next to her. Rose weakly turned her head and looked at Jack. She put her hand on his cheek. Jack looked into her eyes and saw a look of thanks. There was also a deep love that shown in them, even when she was in pain. Dianna and Dr. Lennox immediately turned around and pretended to go over something.

"It's gonna be okay," Jack whispered. Rose just nodded.

*****

Dianna ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. She had to get some more towels for Rose.

"Hey," someone said, as she whirled into the room. Dianna gasped and turned around. Bryan was sitting on the living room couch with Meaghan on his lap.

"Oh, Bryan, you're here!" Dianna exclaimed, running over and kissing her daughter and husband.

"How's Rose?" Bryan asked, as Dianna ran back into the kitchen and pulled open a drawer.

"Oh, she's about ready to push. Just a few more minutes, Dr. Lennox said," Dianna answered, getting a nicely folded stack of old towels out. "How long have you been here?"

"About two hours," Bryan said. "Meaghan has just been playing on the floor. She looks like she's just about to fall asleep now, though."

Dianna glanced at the clock. It was already eight-thirty. "Hmm, well, it won't be much longer," she said. "I am sure you could put Meaghan downstairs and let her sleep."

Bryan shrugged. "I might, if she does fall asleep."

Dianna smiled. "All right, well, I gotta get back upstairs. I'll let you know when the baby gets here."

Bryan nodded and picked Meaghan up. Dianna turned and ran back upstairs, fast as she could go.

*****

"Okay, Rose, that's it. Just a little more," Dr. Lennox coached. She was standing at the foot of Jack and Rose's bed delivering their first child. "I can see the top of its head now, darling, just a few more pushes and you'll be done."

Jack now stood on one side of Rose, holding one of her hands. Dianna stood on the other side and had Rose's other hand in her own.

"Okay, get ready to push again, Rose," Dr. Lennox said from the end of the bed.

Rose groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. Jack felt her hand squeeze his, and then she moaned.

"Okay, Rose, just a few more. Hold on."

Rose groaned. "I can't do this."

"Yes, you can, Rose," Jack whispered. "You can do this. Now, come on, just a few more."

"Come on, Rose, sweetie, you can do it," Dianna chirped from the other side of the bed.

Rose groaned again. "I swear, Dianna, when this is over, I'm going to…hurt you," she got out, before moaning again.

Dianna smiled. She knew that it was Rose's pain that was talking. She had said the same thing to Rose, and Bryan, when she had had Meaghan.

Rose groaned as she pushed again. Jack could feel his hand start to lose its feeling, but if that's what Rose needed, he was going to give it to her.

"Okay, Rose...here we go. Give me one more big push," Dr. Lennox said, changing positions a little bit.

"Okay, Rose, we can do this," Jack said. He squeezed her hand for a change.

"Ready," Dr. Lennox said, "one...two...three, push Rose, just one more big push."

Jack watched as Rose's face squeezed together tight and her eyes squeezed together even tighter. He felt her hand squeeze so hard that his hand went numb and the bones felt like they were going to break. But he didn't let go. Jack squeezed her hand back and then he heard her groan louder than any other time before. That groan was drowned out a minute later by a new sound, a baby crying, and then there was a lot of fussing around in the room.

Rose relaxed suddenly, and flopped back against the pillows. Excitedly, Jack glanced toward the end of the bed. Dr. Lennox had her back turned and was cleaning and checking over the baby with a towel. She turned around a minute later and then wrapped it up in the blanket Dianna was holding. She then gently brought it over to Rose.

"Congratulations, Rose, Jack. You have a healthy baby boy."

Rose burst into tears when her son was placed into her arms. She couldn't believe that she and Jack now had a baby of their own. She studied the baby for a moment. He had a massive amount of hair, for a baby, which was already a dark blond color. Rose gently rocked the baby and it stopped crying. He opened his eyes suddenly and looked from his mother to his father before closing them again. In those few seconds, Rose saw that they were a deep blue. Gently, she leaned down and kissed her child. She looked up at Jack, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, and saw that he had tears in his eyes as well. He smiled down at her, though.

"Wanna hold him?" Rose asked.

Jack nodded, and then his eyes grew wide as Rose placed their son into his arms. "Wow," he breathed, taking a hold of the baby's tiny fingers and looking at them.

Rose smiled, and then glanced at Dianna and saw that she too had tear tracks on her cheeks. A look at Dr. Lennox told Rose that she too was crying, not much, but a little.

"What are you going to call him?" Dianna asked softly, sniffling a little. She knew of all that Jack and Rose had been through. She had heard the whole Titanic story. Now, realizing how much those two had been through, seeing then happy with their firstborn child, made her want to cry with happiness. They deserved that baby.

"Michael," Rose said a second later. "We decided on Michael Andrew Dawson."

"That's a beautiful name," Dianna breathed. Dr. Lennox nodded her head in agreement.

Jack handed the baby back to Rose just then and then lay down next to her. Dr. Lennox and Dianna took their cue and left, Dianna going downstairs to tell Bryan the news and Dr. Lennox going to find the bathroom.

*****

Jack stood watching Rose from the doorway of their bedroom. He had just gotten back from seeing Dr. Lennox and the Fosters off. Meaghan had kept saying "baby, baby" as they were leaving, because Bryan had explained to her that Aunt Rose and Uncle Jack now had a baby of their own, and she had wanted to see Michael. Dianna had promised her daughter that later she would see the baby, and they had left. Now, Jack stood silently, watching Rose as she held and stared at the now sleeping Michael. She had just finished nursing the baby, and right after he had fallen into a deep sleep.

"He's perfect, Rose," Jack whispered suddenly. He walked over and climbed into bed next to his wife.

Rose looked up and blushed. "He looks like you," she commented.

Jack chuckled. "Yeah, he does."

"Thank you, Jack," Rose whispered suddenly. "Thank you for doing everything you have ever done for me. Thank you for giving us this child."

Jack leaned over and kissed Rose's forehead. "I should be thanking you, Rose. You've given me so much. More than I could ever expect. Now you've given me a son. What more could I ever ask for, Rosebud?"

Rose looked at Jack again, and Jack saw that she once again had tears in her eyes. New, fresh tears.

"I love you," she whispered softly.

"I love you, too," Jack whispered back. He put his arm around Rose's shoulders and pulled her toward him. He looked down at Michael and smiled.

The tiny Dawson was nestled in the yellow blanket Rose had made for him, with just a little help from Jennifer. Rose was proud of that blanket because she had never sewn anything in her life up until a few months ago, and Jack was proud of Rose for getting it finished. Jack felt Rose lean her head on his shoulder and he saw her eyes start to close, and then flutter open. He took the baby from Rose, and she mumbled "thank you" before closing her eyes again. This time, they stayed shut.

Jack looked down at the child he now held in his arms. Tears filled his eyes when he thought again of he and Rose finally having a baby of their own. Gently, Jack picked up one if Michael's tiny hands and studied it. The tiny fingers were perfectly shaped and the little hands were a soft whitish-pink color. Jack leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead. Michael's mouth opened in a yawn and then closed again in a soft little sigh. Jack smiled, and then softly began rocking the baby back and forth, singing softly to him and to the half-asleep Rose.

"Come Josephine, in my flying machine..."

Chapter Fifty-Four
Stories