THERE YOU’LL BE
Chapter Eleven

The early days of January 1913 passed as Jack set out for work early in a morning and returned at six o’clock sharp every evening before he would then cook dinner as Rose was too weak to stand. Her days were spent reading or writing in her diary, Anne would call around a few days a week so she wasn’t lonely but she was now courting a man named Earl she had met at the park just after New Year and was always telling stories of him and his travels.

The days when Anne wasn’t there were lonely for Rose. She wasn’t capable of much and hated being so dependant on people. But that would change in just a few days, a little baby would be here and would need her to depend on. Her discomfort grew by the hour and it seemed so did her mood swings. She was dying to give birth just to be comfortable again and she was more anxious than ever to meet her little one.

On January the eighteenth, Jack left at seven o’clock for work as usual. He kissed Rose good-bye and told her he loved her as he did every morning. He was growing more and more worried now, by the day about Rose. He absolutely hated leaving her, but he was only a few blocks away. He had begun to check up on her at lunch times and she was always still in bed, sleeping peacefully.

Walking to work, Jack could feel the winters chill wrap around his body, he pulled his scarf further around his neck and picked up his pace. Any day now he would be a father. He himself had to admit he didn’t know the first thing about being a father, but he would just remember how good a father his own was and then he knew he would be the same. He couldn’t wait to hold his little girl for the first time. Since Rose announced she was pregnant, he had a feeling it was going to be a little girl. Another little firecracker in the family. He could imagine her perfect little angel face and hair as fiery as her mothers.

Arriving at Phillips, he immediately smelt smoke from a pipe as he opened the door.

“Good morning, Jackie boy.” Phil greeted. Pouring the tea into the pot. “Would you care for some tea lad? Warm you up on this cold damn morning?”

Jack nodded, eagerly. Rubbing his hands together to attempt to warm them before removing his coat.

“How’s Rose this morning?” Phil asked, pouring the tea into a cup and stirring it gently.

Jack took a chair and waited for Phil to hand him the teapot. “She’s alright thanks. I left her in bed again. I hate leaving her Phil. Just hate it. But I know I have to support my wife and child. Its just I’m so worried about her.”

Phillip sat beside Jack, who had become to be like a son to him in the past nine months. “Hey lad. When Joan was expecting my three girls, she was the same. I was the same. I’d wake every morning and kiss her good-bye and my heart was ripping open. I worked on a farm a few miles away and every morning I’d walk there and back leaving behind my missus. Course when Anne was born, I stopped work for a few months, my boss was a generous bloke he gave me a few months wages in advance so I could spend time with my family.”

Jack smiled, “Wow” he took his tea and began to blow it gently and then sipped it feeling the liquid warm his insides.

“Has it sunk it yet lad?” Phil asked, offering Jack a cigarette. He refused, he had become used to not smoking recently due to Rose’s pregnancy.

“Has what sunk in?” Jack asked.

“That you’re gonna be a daddy?” Phil said with excitement in his voice.

“It has. But I’m just scared of the next part. What if I fail? What If I cant handle it well?” Jack voiced his worried for the first time.

“Hey when Joan was pregnant with Anne, here’s a little secret lad. I was twenty and she was nineteen and she fell pregnant we’d only been courting for a few months. Her dad found out and made us marry at once, I mean yeah I liked this girl, she was a cracker, long black hair, big green eyes and very pale skin but man did all the men fall at her feet. When she picked me I nearly died. She was a stunner. But I was a rogue, lad. I didn’t want a kid or to be married. I thought why should I marry this girl when I could be out at bars drinking and gambling or courting a few more women. I didn’t want no baby. But you know what? I respected her, and I married her. I grew to love her bit by bit. I worked and supported her and when she went into labor I panicked. I nearly did a runner. I went to a bar got steaming drunk and then fell asleep on a shop door and woke up stinking like a brewery. So I thought to myself you know lad you’re a father now. So I went home, had a wash and made myself walk into the bedroom where my wife and child was. Joan was asleep, poor thing exhausted it was a long labor. But in the corner in a little crib was my little Anne, six pounds six ounces with a head of hair at black as her mothers. I heard her gargling and throwing her tiny fist in the hair, so I bent down to pick her up and I did. At that moment, she opened her eyes and her little fingers squeezed my thumb so tight, and at that moment it all fell into place. I was a daddy, my little girl needed me. Just like yours needs you.”

Phil slapped Jack on the back.

“Its hard lad. Very hard. The long hours and sleepless nights. But its worth it, because I watched my Anne grow into the fine young woman she is now. I don’t regret marrying my Joan, I never will. God rest her soul. If she was here now she’s be fussing over you like a rash. But you and Rose, you’re family now. I always wanted a son and I got one and another daughter in the process. You just do right by Rose and your baby and you wont fail. I swear.”

Phil left the room, leaving a trail of smoke behind him.

Jack didn’t know any of the stuff Phil had told him before now. It made him realize how everything does seem to fall into place. He knew it would be a hard slog for him and Rose but they’d make it.

One day, he’d love to take Rose out to Santa Monica and to the pier. It was still his dream. It seemed far away at first but it was getting closer and closer now.

*****

The early morning sunlight poured through the curtains of the Dawson house. Rose yawned and stretched out before pulling herself out of bed. She made the decision to stay in her nightclothes today, maybe she would be more comfortable. Walking to her vanity unit, she brushed her copper hair softly and left it to hang below her shoulders. It was two days now before she was due to give birth and the anticipation was more than ever. She hated that Jack was leaving her through the day and she was terrified of going into labor on her own, but it had to be done. Marie was due to call around that afternoon to bring Rose some teacakes she had baked the day before especially for her. One of the things Rose missed was baking and cooking, it was something she was proud of learning herself.

At around midday, the door opened and Marie’s happy face came waltzing in. She’d had her very long mousy brown hair chopped to shoulder length and Rose had to admit she looked better for it. Marie was just like her father down to a tee. The eyes, the nose and face shape and hair. Even the way she laughed. But her mouth she guessed was from her mother.

Marie set the teacakes down on the counter, before reaching over to give Rose a hug.

Offering Rose a teacake, she took one.

“So how’re you today Rosie?” Marie asked. Settling herself on the sofa.

“I’m fine.” Rose replied flatly. “Sorry about the nightdress.” Rose indicated to the nightdress she was wearing and apologized.

“Its fine honey. I understand. How’s the teacakes.” Marie questioned. She loved hearing Rose’s views on her cooking. It was something they both had in common.

“Delicious.” Rose replied with a mouthful. She grinned slightly. “Its so nice to taste something so good. I haven’t eaten anything this tasty in weeks.”

Jack did most of the cooking around the house lately and to be honest he wasn’t the best cook. Simple things he could handle, but the main evening dinner was sometimes either under or overcooked. Sometimes even burnt. But it was something they laughed about.

Finishing off her teacake, Rose reached out her hand to Marie to help her up from the sofa. On doing this she felt a sudden burst inside of her and a wetness between her legs. Then reality sunk in. Her waters have broken.

“Marie. Marie oh god.” Rose panicked. Not now. She was alone. She needed Jack here.

“What’s wrong Rose?” Marie gasped. Seeing her fright.

“My waters just broke, Marie. Oh God Jack.” The room began to spin as she panicked more.

“No, no. Sit down.” Marie attempted to calm her. “Now you sit down and I will run and get Jack and then I’ll return here with the doctor. Alright? I’ll run now and get Jack.” Marie yelled, grabbing her coat. Rose nodded absentmindedly attempting to take in all of this information.

“Hurry” she uttered as Marie slammed the door in a rush.

At work, Jack was just finishing up before lunch. Business had been slow today but he sure was ready for a sandwich. He could hear a woman’s voice shouting his name in the distance. Thinking he was hearing things he carried on humming to himself. He sure was worried about Rose though. He heard the shout again, this time plainer. Glancing behind him he saw Marie running towards him. His stomach knotted.

“Jack…” She shouted. So out of breathe she could barely speak.

“What is it Marie?“’ Jack questioned hurryingly. Marie panted vigorously. “What is it?” Jack asked sharper this time, grabbing her coat.

“Rose…” She managed. “Labor...Her waters…broken.”

That was all Jack needed to know, as soon as he heard those words he began to sprint straight away in the direction of his home.

“I’ll fetch the doctor…” Marie shouted after him.

Upon reaching home, Jack was so out of breath but didn’t care. He needed to get to Rose. He needed to see her, to soothe her. To help her through this.

He rammed the gate open and ran through it. Upon reaching the door, he stopped for a few moments, to take all of this in. He slowly opened the door and saw Rose who immediately reached her arms out to him. Their lives were about to change forever.

Chapter Twelve
Stories