ROMANOV AUTUMN
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Over the next couple of months,
Jack and Alyiah settled into their new routine quite nicely. Jack found work in
the kitchens relaxing--he was getting quite good, too, and allowed Alyiah
nights of rest while he took over meals. His art at the Chippewa Herald
flourished, which gained him a promotion around Thanksgiving.
Olivia and Esther came over for
the holiday, which Jack and Alyiah prepared for together.
Everyone enjoyed themselves, even
though it was clear Esther's health was worsening as time went on. Alyiah
became close with Olivia, and the two were giggling like schoolgirls. While
everything seemed happy with the Dawsons on the outside, on the inside they
were struggling a bit emotionally.
Alyiah still wasn't pregnant,
even after several attempts. Jack had to admit she was being a trooper about
the whole situation, and pampered her ballet students as though they were her
own daughters.
"Hope isn't completely lost,
Jack," Esther promised her foster son as they sat together in front of the
fireplace while the women gabbed over knitting.
By Christmastime, Alyiah's ballet
class was ready for their recital. On stage, the little girls danced
brilliantly and without flaw to a miniaturized version of The Nutcracker.
Alyiah stood watching from backstage, her face curved into a noticeably sad
smile.
After the performance, Jack
brought Alyiah home just as it started to snow.
"It's so beautiful, isn't
it, Jack? I love how snow just makes everything else peaceful and quiet."
He nodded, tightening his grip on
the horse's reins. "Alyiah, we will have another baby. This is just a
rough patch, sweetheart."
She hugged him, hoping that was
true.
Christmas was an enjoyable time
for both of them--quiet, with a small exchange of gifts. Olivia and Esther came
over again for dinner, and sang carols played by Alyiah at the small piano. It
was out of tune, belonging to Jack's mother at one time long ago.
When 1902 approached, Jack promised
Alyiah there would be hope for them yet. The year was a pleasant one--Harry and
Bridget came from California by train and stayed with them in Wisconsin for two
weeks. Bridget was pregnant with their first child, and her stomach was
becoming just large enough to be noticeable. Alyiah tried her best not to
appear jealous, but it was clear from her silence...at least to Jack, who knew
her behavior in social situations normally.
"We have missed you,
Jack," Bridget said, reaching for his arm as they had a picnic by the
lake. The late spring weather was beautiful--just warm enough but not
uncomfortably hot. Of course, due to the heavy clouds of pollen floating
around, the outdoor excursions ended sooner than preferred due to Jack's
increasing sneezing fits.
"Me, too," he replied.
"It's great to have you...you're welcome anytime."
Harry grinned. "I hope
you'll come to California for a visit," he said. "It’s not quite the
same without you."
Jack chuckled, lacing his fingers
through Alyiah's, and caused her to smile. He leaned over to kiss her cheek;
even though they'd been married for a full year now, he still felt the same
fire for her as when they first fell in love. Harry remembered how awkward Jack
had been around Bridget when she tried to woo him three years before...he had
definitely grown up.
Jack was sorry to see his friends
go when the two weeks drew to a close, pleased to see Alyiah had gotten along
well with them despite her feelings about Bridget's pregnancy.
"They work in the moving
pictures? How exciting a life that must be," Alyiah said while Jack helped
her collect vegetables from their garden. Every time he went outside, he saw
the remains of the barn that took his parent's lives. Alyiah suggested clearing
the rubble, but he couldn't bring himself to touch any of it.
"It was pretty
interesting," he agreed. "It just wasn't for me." He held the
door with one hand so he could get them inside, and they put the vegetables in
the storeroom. "Are you all right?" he asked when he saw how pale her
face had become, and she nodded.
"Of course, darling,"
she replied. "It's just hot." She wrapped her arms around him,
kissing his lips tenderly.
"Maybe you should rest,
then," he suggested. "I don't want you collapsing on me." He was
tired from being at the hotel all day, but he enjoyed having these few hours of
precious time with his wife.
As the year continued, Alyiah
taught ballet on a regular basis, boasting about how wonderful the recital was
coming along for the Easter holiday. Alyiah's classes became quite popular
after the first segment, and especially once the parents learned of her
prestigious background.
"You'll come, won't you,
Jack?" she asked, and he grinned.
"Of course I'll be
there," he replied. "What kind of a silly question is that?"
Alyiah laughed. "Well, you
are very busy working both jobs," she admitted, and he embraced her
strongly.
"Never too busy for
you," he whispered into her ear. In fact, Jack came to watch the
rehearsals on occasion during his lunch hour, smiling as Alyiah attempted to straighten
a little girl’s slouch. It was hard to believe she had begun this way, so
young. The Easter performance turned out to be Swan Lake, and received
standing ovations every night.
When Christmas of 1902 arrived,
an invitation was sent to the Dawsons from Mr. Rockefeller, along with a pair
of opera tickets.
"Isn't it wonderful?"
Alyiah breathed as she twirled around the parlor. "Oh, I've always dreamt
of going to the opera! I never had the time in Paris. Oh, Jack, do say we may
accept!" She peered hopefully into his eyes, sending him into laughter.
"Of course we may go,"
he replied as she threw her arms around him. "I already spoke with my
boss, who is allowing me the time off."
Alyiah pressed her lips against
his. "Thank you," she replied. "Merci."
Alyiah sat down on the couch and
stared ahead. "Oh, dear," she sighed. "I am not sure what to
wear. I am afraid my dresses are not exactly appropriate."
Jack stroked her curls.
"Alyiah, you will look beautiful in anything," he promised, and she
smiled at him.
As the holidays grew closer,
Alyiah began to feel a bit more helpless regarding her situation and children.
They were strolling through the backyard after supper one night, and when the
cold became too unbearable, Jack lit a fire in the fireplace so they could
cuddle on the couch.
"I am starting to feel a
little helpless," Alyiah began as she curled up on his lap. "We've
been trying so hard to have a child, and...why isn't anything happening?"
Jack sighed, peering into the
flames. "I don't know," he admitted. "We just have to keep
trying...I'm not going to give up, Alyiah. I don't want you to do so,
either."
She wet her lips. "But
Bridget was pregnant, and I didn't...I'm sorry I was icy towards her, but it
isn't fair."
Jack planted a kiss on top of her
head. "She knows you didn't mean it," he promised. "And we will
get lucky someday."
Alyiah smiled. "I've always
liked the name Macena for a girl," she spoke after a few moments of
silence.
Jack blinked. "Any
particular reason?" he asked, for he'd personally been thinking towards
traditional American names--Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah. He mentioned this to
Alyiah, who chuckled.
"I don't understand it
either, but for some reason it's been floating around in my head. I'm not even
sure where I would have heard it. Besides, I've always wanted something unique
for my child...there are too many Elizabeths and Sarahs in the world. I have
two Sarahs in my ballet class alone."
Jack smiled and gently pinched
her cheek. "Well, in either case, our son or daughter will absolutely be
unique. Each child is, in their own way."
Alyiah laced her fingers through
his and placed his hand on her leg. "I know," she replied. "I'm
sorry, Jack. I'm just frustrated."
He touched her cheek. "I
love you," he said. "So much, Alyiah. And we will have a child...when
we're least expecting it."
Alyiah hugged him again, the heat
of the fire making her feel sleepy.
The week of Christmas, Alyiah and
Jack made preparations to travel to New York. It was snowing rather hard, which
made the drive to the train station a bit unnerving. He left the carriage with
Olivia and Esther, grateful for the warmth of the train once they entered.
"You are cold?" Alyiah
laughed as he rubbed his arms briskly once he sat down.
"It may not be as cold as
you're used to in Russia, but we come close," he replied, putting his
hands against her neck. She squealed, batting him away, and giggled when he
attempted to tickle her. He eventually silenced her with a kiss, which she more
than happily accepted.
"We're going to have a
wonderful time," she breathed once they sat in the normal fashion.
"I know it," he agreed.
They arrived in New York around
eleven that night, and Mr. Rockefeller had their bed ready when they arrived,
along with hot tea and cookies.
"Take these up with you...I
know it has been a long day," he suggested, and Jack thanked the old man,
while Margarita helped them with their luggage.
"How are things in your
home?" she asked, and Jack admitted he missed the thick Spanish accent.
The time he had spent with Mr. Rockefeller had been a very happy one, though
nothing compared to how wonderful his life was now.
"Wonderful, thank you,"
he replied. "Alyiah and I are settling into things pretty smoothly."
Margarita laughed. "I knew
you would," she said. "You just had to find the right person to
settle down with." She winked as Alyiah entered the guestroom first, the
moonlight making her face glow silver.
"Thank you," he
chuckled.
"Good night, my skinny
one," Margarita teased, and pinched his side, which got a giggle from
Alyiah.
"You're just evil."
Jack laughed and Margarita merely smiled as she swept out of the room. He
turned around and hoisted Alyiah into the air, spinning her around. "I see
how it is," he teased as she demanded he put her down.
"Jack Dawson!" she
squealed as he sat her on the edge of the bed. She gazed into his eyes, which
were blue as an ocean--she felt as though she could drown in them.
"We have a long day ahead of
us," he announced, unbuttoning her cloak. "We should get to sleep
soon."
Alyiah yawned as she rummaged
through her trunks, pulling out her nightgown. Jack frowned when he realized
how thin she was...the corsets she wore shaped her figure to a painful-looking
size. It was actually a bit frightening to imagine a woman of her physique
giving birth to a child.
"What is it?" Alyiah
asked, turning around, and Jack shook his head.
"Nothing, honey," he
promised, and she put her hands on her hips.
"You're staring," she
pointed out, and he smiled.
"That's only because you're
so beautiful," he explained, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Don't torture me like
that," she whined as he moved forward to kiss her. "We can't do
anything here...it would be disrespectful."
Jack chuckled.
"Unfortunately," he replied as she sipped from her tea mug, gazing
around the comfortable room. He joined her with his own mug, humming to an old
waltz.
"Will we ever return to
Russia?" Alyiah asked, and he turned.
"Someday," he assured
her. "We'll bring little Macena to visit her grandparents."
Alyiah laughed with delight as
she kissed him yet again. "You must promise," she begged, and he
placed his hand over his heart. "Macena Marie Dawson. I wish I knew why I
keep thinking of that name!"
Jack looked at the ceiling.
"It might provide a sign somewhere," he answered. "Now, I think
we should get some sleep. It's already midnight." He took the plate and
mugs, setting them on the nightstand. Alyiah climbed into the bed with her
husband, feeling safe whenever he was nearby. She watched as he came in,
clasping her hand in his.
"Good night," she
whispered before succumbing to sleep.