From The Journals of Katherine Plumber

October 18th, 1899

(TW: This one is going to be rough. There is death, graphic descriptions, and mentions of all past trauma Katherine had gone through. If you made it this far, congrats, you probably won't last this one. It took me a week to finish, since I had to keep stopping. Unfortunately, this is just sad truth about society before bringing awareness to situations like this.)

 I rolled over to feel emptiness next to me. After the wedding, the girls went out with their guys. Jack and I were going to go down by the water, but he said something came up and he had to go sell. Now, he's not even here when I wake up? He came home last, I know that. Maybe he's just doing something for the proposal.

I can't believe he actually said he'll ask me to marry him today! After today, I am the future Mrs. Kelly. Not only were we going to be a family, but we'll be married. After yesterday, telling my father off, I feel so much more free.

But, not free of this baby. I don't know why, but within the two minutes I was awake, my stomach was killing me. I got into my green dress, and tied my apron on, not even bothering to put my corset on. I went upstairs, and straight to the bathroom, throwing up.

It was like never ending today. I felt so tired and weak after 5 minutes. I heard a soft knock on the door and looked over to see Davey, "David? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I kinda stayed last night with Sara." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Oh, Davey, that's so-" I went to stand, but ended up falling backwards. I luckily caught myself and sat on the toilet.

"Kath, what's wrong?" Davey asked, walking over and getting down in front of me.

"I-I don't know." I said, shaking.

"Sara!" Davey called, feeling me for a temperature, "Sara!"

Sara ran in, "What's wrong?" She asked, "Oh, God, Kath!"

"She collapsed. I found her throwing up and now she feels feverish." He said.

"Where's Jack?" Sara asked.

"I don't know. H-He wasn't there when I woke up." I said, leaning into Davey's arms.

"Get her down to bed, then go find Jack with a few other boys. Send Crutchie down to help me." Sara said.

Davey nodded. He picked me up and I stayed close to him. He took me downstairs, getting me in bed. Sara followed us and sat next to me, holding my hands. She actually looked frightened, "I'm going to call Ness. Tell her you can't work." She said.

"I'll be fine." I said.

"You are shaking." She said, "I want you to rest."

"Sara-"

"No. I don't want you to get worse than this. For your sake. For your baby's sake." She said.

I sighed and nodded, "I want Jack."

"Davey will find him." Sara said.

I nodded and stayed close to her. I was just fine. Yesterday I was running around, playing with Banner, what happened? Health couldn't change this rapidly, could it? Cruthcie had come downstairs to help Sara. Even though it really felt like they were just babysitting me.

I was so tired, I ended up falling asleep against Sara. I could feel her sigh, though. She was worried. I was worried. I wanted to act tough, like nothing was wrong, but I could just feel it, something was.

It was nearly 4. Crutchie had gone upstairs to eat, and Sara still wasn't leaving my side. I was feeling semi okay now, but something was still wrong. But, Sara had concluded I wasn't running a fever, so I was fine if she left me for a few minutes, but she didn't think so, "Sara, please. I'll be fine. Go eat." I said.