"Jack, we really have to discuss this. I barely got any sleep last night. We just have to clear this whole thing up."
"I know. But how?"
"I don't know. I guess we just have to wait it out. The letter said nothing of ever meeting. How do we know what they want?"
"Well, just be extra careful when you go out. Make sure Kaitlyn's with you. I suppose we should tell them the complete story of what happened on Titanic. They might be able to help us. But don't worry too much about it. We still need to continue with living our lives. Come on, you still have that doctors appointment to go to."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Why do you think they need me to go in? I'm a little run down, but other than that I feel perfectly fine."
"Don't ask me. I'm sure it's nothing serious."
After breakfast, they both went over to James and Kaitlyn's apartment. The kids were playing at their friend's house so they could have a more private discussion. They told them everything. Both James and Kaitlyn were shocked at first, but they were still very understanding. They gave suggestions and said that if they ever needed anything that they would always be there for them. Jack and Rose felt a sense of relief of telling someone. For one year, they had kept the most painful memories all bottled up inside. James and Kaitlyn had known that they had been on the Titanic, but they never knew anything more than that.
When they opened the door to the doctor's office, they noticed an array of different types of people sitting in the waiting room. There were young children running around, mothers reading or sewing, old couples, and some with colds. Jack checked Rose in and no more than five minutes went by before Rose was called back. They told Jack to wait in the waiting room, so he patiently sat down and began to mingle with the others. About an hour later, a nurse came out and called out to him.
"Mr. Jack Dawson, correct?"
"Yep. What's wrong with Rose? Is she ok?"
"Oh, she's perfectly fine. Can I get you to sign these forms for me?"
"Yeah sure, but what about Rose? What's going on?"
"Oh, it's nothing that 9 months won't do. Congratulations Mr. Dawson, you're going to be a father."
"You mean… Rose is pregnant?"
"That's right. Now like I said, if you would just sign these forms-"
"Oh, this great! I'm going to be… a…a… father?" Then the realization of the whole matter stepped in. Jack put his hand on his forehead "Oh my God…I'm going to be a…a father."
The nurse was used to this. She just nodded her head. It was nothing out of the daily routine for her. Jack was completely speechless. He had started to run around the room, telling everybody about how he was going to be a father.
"Now Mr. Dawson, please just sign the forms and then you can go see your wife."
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry. Here ya go." He said as he quickly signed the papers.
The nurse just rolled her eyes and motioned for him to follow her down the hallway. On his way there, he noticed an open door. When he passed it he saw an obviously exhausted woman lying on the bed, holding her newborn son. Her husband was sitting on the bed next to her, just staring lovingly at his new son. "Just think, in 9 months, I'll be sitting there with my very own son or daughter." He thought.
When they reached the room that Rose was in, he quickly walked in. Rose was sitting on the bed casually. When she saw Jack she immediately got up and they both ran to each other. She threw her arms around him as Jack gave her a passionate kiss.
"I love you so much. Thank you Rose." He said.
"I love you too, but don't thank me yet. Come on, the doctor wants to talk with both of us before we leave."
They both went into the doctor's office and sat down in front of the desk. The doctor was sitting at the desk, writing in Rose's file.
"Ah, good morning. I just wanted to talk with both of you before you leave. I'm assuming this is your first child?" The doctor said as he dipped his pen in ink. Jack and Rose nodded. "Yes, well then, I thought that we should discuss some of the things that you can be expecting in the next year or so." Dr. Nelson explained everything from symptoms to how to take care of a baby. Dr. Nelson was happy to answer their questions and so they left the doctor's office knowing exactly what to expect.
When they got home, they immediately went to tell James and Kaitlyn of the good news. Jack and James went outside to get a paper as they talked about fatherhood. Kaitlyn and Rose sat inside talking about how wonderful kids are and different tips.
It was 8:00pm by the time they finally walked into their own apartment. Jack and Rose were laughing at one of the jokes that James had told them when they heard a strange noise come from the kitchen. The whole apartment was pitch black so Jack quickly flipped the light switch. They both went into the kitchen to see what had caused the noise only to find Mr. Caledon Hockley himself, sitting in a chair with his feet on another, smoking a cigarette. Rose gasped as she held Jack's hand tighter.
"Cal… what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I think the question is what are YOU doing here?"
"Cal, just leave us alone! We don't want to do any harm to you, so just leave us be!" Cal stubbed his cigarette out as he got up. He walked slowly over to Rose, not even noticing Jack.
"Rose, I was hoping that we could come to an agreement. You have something that I want. I believe it was in my coat pocket about 1 year ago."
"What… the necklace?"
"Yes, the necklace. You don't really think I would let you keep a 2 million-dollar necklace do you? Especially after what you did to me."
"What I did to YOU?! You bas-"
"Ah, ah, ah. You'll want to be a little more selective with your words. Just give me the necklace and I swear that you'll never see me again."
"You came all this way for the necklace! Figures. What about my mother? Does she know I'm alive?"
"Hell no! I could care less about her! She's been living somewhere in Colorado ever since the sinking. I believe she's staying with Margaret Brown. Ever since the press found out about her little financial problem, she hasn't had the guts to stay in Philadelphia."
"But the article in the newspaper said-"
"Yes, I know. I sent her off with a few hundred dollars. My father had the paper put that in there to help our reputation. Yes, the compassionate, loving Mr. Caledon Hockley." Cal smirked to himself.
"Far from it. Figures you would marry such a snob as Emelia Smith! I've known Emelia since I was 5 years old and I must say she is THE most self-centered brat to have ever walk this planet. Ya know, now that I think about it, you two have more in common than I realized."
Cal just chuckled then said, "Yes well, the only reason I married her is because she's worth millions. Even you know that no one of our class, oh excuse me…my class ever marries for love. It's a business. That's how the rich just keep getting richer, and the poorer just keep getting poorer. Surely you must understand that concept."
"Of course. That's why we're not married. As for the necklace, it's in a safety deposit box so I'll have to get it tomorrow."
"You mean to tell me that I have to wait until tomorrow?! This is ridiculous!"
"Well, there's nothing that any of us can do about it! If they're closed, they're closed! You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to get your precious gem."
"Fine. I'll be back here at noon tomorrow. You'd better be here, with the diamond. You'll pay the consequences if you decide otherwise."
Cal left shortly after that. Jack and Rose said nothing to each other. Jack just put his arms around Rose, offering everything Cal could never even hope for- compassion, security and most of all…love.
Chapter 13
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