Chapter 6: Spilling the Beans

THE NEXT DAY:
Emily took a look at everyone sitting at the dining table that evening. It seemed like everyone she ever met in her entire life was there- well, save one. Sitting and chatting around her was her family, of course, the Vanbeek's, her grandmother, the Roberts (Jack's sister and her family), and their neighbors Marty, Jenna and their three kids.

She took a deep breath and sat down next to Katherine. Katherine looked at her knowingly as she squeezed her sister's hand. Katherine already knew about the engagement. Emily had told her the previous night. They had stayed up all night talking about weddings and the gowns and all of the people that would be there. Of course, both knew nothing about the link between the two families.

As the dinner progressed, everyone's attention was starting to direct more towards Emily and her experiences in New York. Her mother, as usual, started asking Emily about her summer plans. Emily honestly didn't know yet.

"You know Emily, Kaitlyn's nephew is coming tomorrow to visit. You two really ought to get together some time. He's a real charming boy. I met him about a year ago, wouldn't you say about that Kaitlyn?" Rose said looking over at Emily then Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn looked up at the sound of her name and answered a simple "oh…yes, that's right."

Emily shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Katherine noticed this as she nudged her sister with her elbow. Emily silently nodded to Katherine, then turned back to her mother.

"Well mother to tell you the truth…I…um…don't think that would be appropriate."

"Why not Emily? You're old enough by now to be going out with boys."

"Well…that's not the problem."

"Oh? What is then?"

Emily took a deep breath. This was it. "Because while in New York I met somebody…" a hush fell over the table. "and well…we just fell in love and we've decided to get married."

Rose suddenly looked up in shock then smiled. "Oh my God! That's wonderful! Oh my…"

"That's great sweat heart! Who's the lucky fella?" Jack said in just as much shock. Jack smiled at Rose as he put another bite of food into his mouth.

Emily, looking rather relived, continued "John, Jonathan Hockley."

Suddenly, as if on cue, Rose fell to the floor out cold while Jack choked on his peas. Ruth sat in shock, unable to move. Everyone rushed to their aid, unaware of the cause of the accident, well…with the exception of James and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn's hand slowly went up to cover her mouth as she thought of the rude Caledon Hockley she had met at the train station so long ago.

The Vanbeek's sat their looking at each other in complete shock, for they knew exactly why Jack, Rose and Ruth had acted as they did.

LATER THAT EVENING:
Rose lay asleep on the couch. Everyone had already left the dinner party, with the exception of Ruth. The doctor had come about an hour ago to check to see if Rose was all right. He sat beside her now, examining her. Rose's eyes slowly flickered open.

"Well Mr. Dawson, looks like your wife just had a bit of a scare, that's all. I'm sure she'll be fine." The Doctor then turned his attention back to Rose. "Mrs. Dawson! So good to see you awake! How do you feel?"

"What….where am I?" Rose said, confused as she looked around the room.

"Oh, you're at home. You passed out earlier. Nothing to worry about though. You'll be just fine. Well I'll be heading off then. You folks have yourselves a good evening."

"Thank you doctor." Jack said, shaking the doctor's hand. And with the tip of his hat, the doctor left.

Rose sat up on the couch. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh most of them went home."

"Where's Emily?"

Emily appeared through the door. "Right here mom."

Emily now knew why her mother had fainted earlier. Jack as well as Ruth had told her the whole story. Emily was quite shocked but it didn't make her decision change about getting married to John.

"Oh Emily darling! Come over and sit next to me. You know, I just had the worst nightmare! You were in it, actually everyone was really. Well, we were all at dinner when you announced that you were going to marry some boy named John Hockley. Well, you know…I don't remember much after that. But it felt so real. Thank god it was only a dream!" Rose laughed to herself while the others in the room looked nervously at each other.

Emily swallowed the lump in her throat. "Well, to tell you the truth mother… that wasn't a dream. I AM engaged to John."

Rose nearly fell off the side of the couch. "You WHAT?! When was this decided? How-"

Emily interrupted her. "Now mother I know what you're about to say. But please- just hear me out. I know who Jonathan Hockley is and I KNOW who Caledon Hockley is. To tell you the truth, I had no CLUE that they were related. God, I didn't even know who his father was! All that I know is that I love John and I'm not willing to give him up because you and his father don't get along. Look, I'm truly sorry that it's worked out like this, but you know...you just have to take what life deals you."

"Emily, you know I don't want you to do this! There's a reason that I ran away from the Hockleys 22 years ago. Do you understand that Emily? Do you understand what kind of man Caledon Hockley is? Do you? I really doubt it."

"Mother, John isn't like that. He's sweet and loving. I know from the description that Dad gave me, that Caledon wasn't a very nice guy. I know he did a lot of awful things, but I'm telling you- John isn't like that."

"You know something? That's exactly what I thought about Cal right before we were engaged. I thought that he was the sweetest, most charming gentleman you could ever meet. Then look, in a matter of weeks he turned bad. His controlling and cruel side came out. You don't see it now, but it just might happen to you."

"Mother please! For the last time- John isn't like that! Would you just face the fact that I love him!"

"Oh I understand that perfectly! But you just wait and see Emily! God only knows what kind of childhood he's had, being raised by those two…lunatics. What happens if he's been raised in an abusive family? Then what? Do you want him treating you like that? Or even worse, do you want him treating your children like that?"

"Mother PLEASE! I've had ENOUGH of this…NONSENSE! You're judging a man you haven't even met. How can you? How DARE you?! You have NO right! None whatsoever!" And with that Emily stormed out of the living room and up to her old room.

Rose sat on the couch with her head buried in her hands, crying. "Where could I have possibly gone wrong" she thought "What has I ever done to deserve a punishment like this?" Jack put his loving arm around her shoulders as he cradled her in his arms. He tried saying words of encouragement, but it was to no avail. Rose just kept rocking back and forth repeating "Why?".



Chapter 6
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