1956: A Kennedy Story

Chapter 113

6 months later...

October 25, 1956

Jackie smiled as she rocked ten-month old Bella in the rocking chair.

Much had happened in the last six months, but, luckily nothing unhappy.

Bella had started eating hard foods and actually could say some sentences. It was amazing how fast her daughter had learnt, how any child learnt.

She smiled down at Bella who now had a thick brown mop of hair upon her scalp, it was almost at her shoulders.

Jackie absentmindly stroked Bella's hair.

The biggest change, Jackie knew not if it was for better or worse, was Jack's announcement of his candinacy for the presidency of the United States.

Jackie was worried over millions of things, as can be expected. There would be cameras, pressmen, pressure, assassins and God knew what else.

But Jack wanted this, and if Jack wanted it... Jackie would stand by his side. Jackie looked around the room and sighed. She could hardly believe this was her life. Sure she'd been born into a fairly rich and observed family, but NOTHING like the Kennedy clan. Her father-in-law had been Ambassador, her husband a Senator and a runner for the Presidency of The United States.

She'd never have thought her life would play out like this. She stroked her heavily pregnant stomach. She wondered if this baby would be alright, she'd been in a near miscarriage. So many things made Jackie panic, what if she was like Jack's sister Rosemary? What if she was a stillborn. What, why, how, when?

They all fluttered through Jackie's mind. Everyday she was becoming less and less sure and confident of what would happen.

Her hand stopped caressing Bella's hair as she looked into the wall, painted to look like the night sky, it was like her life.

Dark, mysterious, grand, vast and full of wonder and suprises. Not all for the better.

Despite the pressure and thoughts of scare that wandered through her mind. Despite the unknowing and unsurity of everything Jackie knew one thing.

No matter what, through anything she'd stick with her family. She silently vowed it. No matter what.

No matter what...