SURVIVING
Chapter Nine

It was a bright and beautiful day. Rose hummed a cheerful tune as she returned home from the doctor’s office. She had wonderful news for the family…for Jack in particular. News she had had a hard time believing at first. She finally found him on the back porch, busy sketching the woods in the back of the house. She stood there and watched him work. She loved watching him draw. He seemed so peaceful and serene when he was deep in concentration on one of his masterpieces. He was going to be famous one of these days. She just knew it.

"Hey." Jack’s face brightened when he looked up to find Rose watching him…once again. "Emmy told me that you went to the doctor. I know you haven’t been feeling very well. So, what did he say?" Jack got up and wrapped his arms around her waist. The worry that had been raging through him for most of the morning shone in his eyes.

"You better sit down." Rose pulled away, not wanting him so surprised that he’d pass out.

"This must be serious." Jack sat back on the porch chair. "What did he say?"

Rose took a deep breath, nervous about what his reaction might be. They had never talked about such things, and she had no idea what his true reaction would be. Hugging his shoulders, she found herself at a loss for words. How was she going to break this life-changing news to him?

Meanwhile, while Rose was debating the right words to use, Jack grew more and more concerned. Whatever was wrong must be serious. What if she was ill or dying? What was he expected to do? Please don’t let her be dying. She was the only person in the world that he could trust fully and love twice as much. If he lost her…he’d go mad from the grief. There was no doubt in his mind about that. "Rose, what’s going on? You’re not sick, are you? If you are, we’ll make you better. Everything will be all right. I know it will." He squeezed her hand, trying to be the brave and strong one.

Rose smiled, touched by Jack’s loving concern and undying optimism. "No, Jack. I’m not sick. Well…not right now, anyway."

Jack frowned. What did she mean by that? It seemed liked he was getting more confused by the minute. "Rose, what’s going on? I’m getting more confused by the minute."

Rose giggled, amused by the baffled look in Jack’s eyes. "Jack…how do you feel about babies?" The question was simple and curious.

"I love them. I hope we have a whole brood of them someday." Jack smiled, the worry still in his eyes. "In fact, I was wanting to talk to you about trying for a baby soon."

Rose’s eyes brightened with hope. This was exactly what she wanted to hear…what she needed to hear. Taking another deep breath, Rose continued. "I’m glad to hear you say that. I’m relieved, really…because…we’re having a baby. The doctor said I’m four weeks along."

Jack looked at her, surprise taking him over. He didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t even sure if he had heard her right. "Did you just say what I think you said?"

Rose smiled, taking a seat in Jack’s lap and looking him straight in the eye. "Jack…I…in eight more months…we’re going to have a baby."

"A baby…" Jack blinked in shock, letting the news sink in. He was going to be a father! He was going to have a chance to be the kind of father his own was! "A-are you sure?"

Rose nodded. "I kind of suspected, but the doctor confirmed it this morning. Jack…this is okay with you…right? I mean…you’re not mad at me, are you?" Rose’s voice was full of worry. Her eyes dimmed at the thought of Jack not wanting the baby.

"Of course I’m not mad." Jack hugged her close. "Rose…this is the best gift you’ve ever given me. Wow, a baby of our own…I’m in shock. I never really thought of us having children…"

"So you’re happy?"

Jack brightly grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Of course I’m happy. I’m more than happy. I’m to the moon!" He stood up with Rose in his arms. "Wahoo! We’re having a baby!" he shouted with joy, twirling Rose around.

"Jack!" Rose laughed in delight. "Put me down!"

"Hey." Emma stepped outside, wondering about the commotion. She watched the jubilant duo in amusement. She had never seen Jack and Rose so full of joy and laughter before. "What’s going on out here?"

"Emmy!" Jack placed Rose on her feet and swept Emma Jean up in an airborne twirl.

"Jack! Put me down!" Emma demanded, not able to resist laughing. She definitely liked this side of Jack. "What’s gotten into you?"

Jack grinned widely and placed Emma back on her feet. He looked into the house curiously, not ready to share the news just yet. "Where is everyone?"

"The sitting room. Now, are you going to tell me why you’re in such a happy mood or not?" Emma looked at Jack expectantly.

"Soon." Jack grabbed Rose and Emma’s hands. "Once we’re all together." He pulled them into the house and into the sitting room, where the family was gathered, listening to the radio, reading, and knitting. Everyone looked up as Jack pulled Emma and Rose into the sitting room.

"Hello, dears." Myrtle smiled at the three newcomers. Her smile brightened even more when she saw the light in Jack’s eyes…a light she had seen once before in the eyes of his father.

"Grandma and Grandpa, Mom, Emma, and Nathan…Rose and I have some very important news to share with you." Jack let go of Emma’s hand and tightened his hold on Rose.

"Well, it’s about time." Emma snorted, taking a place next to Nathan. "So, tell us, what’s gotten you so excited?"

Jack and Rose looked at each other with unsurpassed joy and excitement.

"Rose is pregnant. We’re having a baby," Jack announced, bursting with excitement.

Shocked silence fell over the room, the information slowly processing through everyone’s minds. Their news was so…shocking…so wonderful. The room suddenly burst into cries of joy and shouts of congratulations. A new Dawson was on the way.

Myrtle had tears in her eyes as she went to hug her grandson. "If only your father was here. He would have been so happy."

"He’s with us in spirit, Grandma." Jack wiped away a falling tear. "He’s here and celebrating right along with us."

"I know, sweetie. I know." Myrtle reached out and took Rose’s hand in hers. "He loves you both so much."

Rose smiled at the warmth that filled her. The warmth of belonging to this wonderful family. The warmth of knowing that her baby was going to come into the world safe and loved.

Eight Months Later

It was another bright, peaceful day in the Dawson home. Life had again settled down into a routine. A routine of morning sickness, cravings, and doctor visits. So far, everything was going as planned. Rose’s pregnancy was completely normal. Up until the due date, two weeks ago. The baby was supposed to come then, but it hadn’t. Rose was now two weeks late and very agitated.

Now, Rose sat in the kitchen, helping Emma with breaking green beans for that night’s dinner. She rubbed her aching back, a condition that had started early that morning.

"Rose?" Emma looked at her cousin in concern. "Are you all right, sweetie?"

"My back has been aching all day. I’m going to get Jack to give me a back rub when he comes in." Rose sighed, wincing once again. "This is the worse backache I’ve had for the past eight months."

Emma frowned, wondering if Rose’s backaches were really labor pains. She was about to suggest just that when Rose’s eyes widened in alarm. "Rose? What’s wrong?"

"M-my water just broke." Rose pushed back her building panic. Panicking would not help anything.

"Oh, Lord." Emma got to her feet. "Okay, Rose. Don’t worry. I’m a nurse, remember? Everything is going to be all right."

"J-Jack." Rose gasped as a contraction gripped her abdomen. "I need Jack."

"First, let’s get you upstairs, and then I’ll go get him. Do you like the sound of that?"

"Fine. Ow!" Rose gasped as another contraction hit her.

Five minutes later, after getting Rose all settled, Emma went in search of Jack, just to run into Myrtle and Greta.

"Emma, what’s your hurry?" Myrtle noticed the rushed expression in her granddaughter’s eyes. Something was going on.

"It’s Rose! She’s in labor and is calling for Jack. I have to find him." Emma Jean ran past the two women, continuing her search for her cousin.

"Oh, my." Myrtle gasped. "Greta, go boil some water, but first tell Nathan to go fetch Dr. Calvert. I’ll be upstairs tending to Rose."

Not knowing what else she could do, Greta did as she was told.

*****

Myrtle found Rose in her room, sobbing for Jack. It was obvious that the girl was scared. She immediately went to Rose.

"Shh." She pushed Rose’s hair away from her face. "Shh. It’ll be all right. Jack will be here soon, and so will your new baby."

"But it hurts too much! I feel like I’m going to die." Rose sobbed, clinging tightly to Myrtle’s hand.

"Oh, Rosie. You’re not going to die. You’re going to come through this just fine."

"Rose!" Jack rushed into the room and right to her, with Emma Jean right behind him.

"Jack." Rose grabbed his hand, clinging to him for dear life. "It hurts so much, Jack…"

"Shh. I know, sweetie. But it’ll be over soon. Soon we’ll have our baby in our arms."

"Dr. Calvert should be here any minute." Myrtle patted Rose’s hand.

Just on cue, Dr. Calvert arrived, carrying his medical bag and looking rather exhausted.

"I’ve assisted in five births already. There must be something about today." The doctor set his bag down and glanced at Jack. "Mr. Dawson…I’m going to have to ask you to step outside. I’ll get you when the baby is born."

"No!" Rose’s grip tightened on Jack’s hand. "He stays! I need him to stay!"

"But, Rose, it’s inappropriate for the father to be present during a birth." Myrtle tried to reason with the frightened young woman.

"I don’t care what’s appropriate or not. I need Jack to stay. I’m not scared when he’s here." Rose whimpered as her abdomen was seized by another contraction.

"I’m staying," Jack firmly stated, leaving no room for argument. "Rose needs me, and I’m not leaving her side."

Exasperated, the doctor looked at Myrtle, hoping that she could make the young couple see reason, but the woman just smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "Have you ever seen such devotion?"

"Guess not." The doctor sighed in defeat. It was useless trying to get Jack to leave the room. "Okay. Fine. Just stay out of my way."

"Sure thing." Jack inwardly sighed in relief. He had thought for sure that the doctor would insist that he leave the room.

"It’ll be all right, Rosie. Trust me." He kissed the top of her head.

*****

Two hours later, Lucas and Laura Dawson were born. Each had Jack’s blue eyes and Rose’s auburn curls. It was obvious that the twins were the pride and joy of the Dawson family.

Rose held a child in each arm, enjoying the quiet. Everyone except Jack and herself had gone out to celebrate. The new parents just wanted to be alone with their children for a while.

Jack smiled as he entered the room. He couldn’t help but to be deeply touched by the sight of his wife and children.

"We did a good job, didn’t we?" Jack sat next to Rose, wrapping an arm around Rose’s shoulder, touching the babies’ soft curls. "They’re so perfect."

"Just like their father." Rose sighed. "You’ve given me so much, Jack. Your love, a real family, and now two perfect angels. I used to wonder what the reason for surviving Nazi Germany was…and now I know…just by looking at our son and daughter…by looking into your eyes."

Jack smiled, already knowing the reason. "It’s love. Love is the reason for surviving."

Rose smiled, her green eyes full of warmth. "I love you, Jack. More and more every day."

"I love you, too, Rose. You and our little angels." Jack pulled her close. Sitting there together, their babies nestled in their arms, Jack and Rose knew that they were the reason for surviving. They each survived for each other and their babies and they’d continue to survive throughout their lives.

The End.

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