Dynasty - John F Kennedy

XIV

Late November, 1952

"Stop looking at me like that," Maddie told Jack as he pushed the doorbell, still refusing to let his eyes leave her. Maddie took quick and rather forceful inhales and exhales as she cradled her belly, trying to cope with the sudden stings of pain she had been experiencing inside her over the past days. Braxton Hicks, Ethel had told her they were called. She could potentially go into labor at any given time, but somehow still found herself at the doorstep of the house of some politician, ready for a night of small talk because her husband had convinced her of its importance.

"Seriously, Jack, stop looking at me like that. We wouldn't be here if you were that concerned about how I was feeling. So just do your thing; charm, talk, laugh so we can get home quickly."

Jack's look grew guilty, but before he could come up with an answer, the door flew open.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, welcome!" A middle-aged man, whom Jack had informed her was named Mr. Price, greeted them warmly. "And congratulations on the baby—you must be ready to pop any day now!" Maddie, unable to recall ever speaking to him before, still flashed her brightest smile and graciously thanked him.

Mr. Price walked them to the dining room where about a dozen of well-dressed people stood in small groups appearing engaged in their conversations. As soon as Jack entered the room, she saw how nearly everyone looked up, their discussion momentarily forgotten. Maddie followed his lead as they made the customary round of greetings, but her mind wandered. The repetitive nodding left her slightly lightheaded, though it paled in comparison to the thought that consumed her—the looming reality that she could go into labor at any moment. It was a fear that had haunted her dreams night after night.

"So Madeleine and John, have you decided on any baby names yet?" they were asked by a nice-looking lady, whom Maddie presumed was Mr. Price's wife. She felt certain they had spoken before, but couldn't for the life of her remember the woman's name.

"Well, we've talked about Mirabelle, if it's a girl. And Arthur or Louis for a boy. But to be quite frank, right now, with the pain he's caused me the last few days, I'd be willing to name him jackass," Maddie said, earning a burst of genuine laughter from the group. Jack's gaze met hers, and she could tell he was silently urging her to dial back the profanity. But Maddie didn't care. Her pregnancy had reached a point where nothing seemed to matter beyond the constant discomfort and the looming arrival of her child. The world around her had faded into a blur of polite conversations, hors d'oeuvres, and well-dressed guests. The soft murmur of social exchanges felt like distant background noise. Sitting there, her belly heavy and sore, she couldn't summon the energy to care about how she was perceived.

Just as they were about to take their seats at the dinner table, Maddie spotted Bobby and Ethel making their way around the room, greeting the other guests one by one, and she felt immediate relief.

"My goodness look at you!" Ethel exclaimed and gestured at Maddie's belly as she embraced her.

"I'm so glad you're here," Maddie said, refusing to let Ethel go from the hug.

"How are you holding up?"

Maddie took a deep breath as she thought up an answer, "I'm okay. Feeling like my body might implode at any given moment, but other than that quite alright."

Ethel raised her eyebrows and put a hand on Maddie's shoulder, "I know the feeling. It will all be worth it when you hold that baby in your arms."

"I know, thanks Ethel," Maddie put her own hand over Ethel's, grateful.

As the evening wore on and dinner was served, the guests took their places around the grand dining table. Maddie made a point to sit next to Ethel, not particularly concerned with where Jack sat. She knew he'd be engrossed in conversation with everyone but her for the next few hours.