A New Beginning

Chapter 46: First Attempt at Motherhood

Chapter 46: First Attempt at Motherhood

"Rose are you sure you don't want me to stay home?" Emma asks.

Rose shakes her head and pats her stomach. "I'm going to be a mother in eight months, Emma, I need to practice."

"Okay..." Emma says, reluctant to let Rose take care of Sybil all day. It's not that she didn't trust Rose; the woman adored Sybil and Emma can never thank Rose enough for keeping Sybil safe during the "incident" on the ship, but Rose had no experience around children at all. In fact, when she first held Sybil, she struggled to hold her sister properly. But then again, Rose did need the practice and since her ankle was healing, there's no reason for both her and Peter to stay at home. The office was getting busier now as the summer approached and both of them were needed.

Jack was also preparing to head out to find himself some work. He and Rose had stayed home the past week or so to watch Sybil and make sure Rose's ankle healed properly. Holly had also stayed a few more days with Thomas to give assistance, but this would be the first time Rose would be home alone with the child. Now, Jack was trying to find employment. Emma had offered him a job at the office, but he politely turned her down.

"No thanks," he said. "I need to be able to support Rose and my family, I also want to feel like I earned my job, not being influenced by my friends."

Emma left it at that. She knew all men had this ego thing where they had to feel like they earned their jobs and were capable of taking care of the women in their life. Peter had the same thing once, but he eventually got over it when he worked his way into her father's company and earned his spot. Emma too was working hard to receive the respect she deserved as the owner of the office, she had yet to hear about the classes she'd signed up for a couple weeks back.

"Alright, Rose, everything that needs to be done in the list on the counter," Emma explains. "Don't worry about dinner, Peter and I will be home by then, just make sure Sybil doesn't fall down the stairs or anything like that."

"I won't don't you worry," Rose says. Feeling confident as ever. She was finally going to put those housekeeping skills she'd learned from Wendy to good use. She was excited, feeling that she needed this chance to prove to herself and the others that she wasn't just some spoiled rich girl, that she could take care of herself and another human being.

"Okay," Emma says. "But call the office if anything goes wrong." She hands Sybil to Rose, who has to adjust her arms to hold the child properly. Emma gives a forced smile before gathering some papers. Peter kisses Sybil and then heads out to start the car. Emma kisses her sister and follows him.

Jack is dressed in clean clothing, something he borrowed from Peter to look presentable for his interviews. He was a little uncomfortable, but he knew he had to get a job to support his growing family.

"Have a good day," Jack says, kissing Rose on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too, good luck," Rose smiles. She felt so normal, like a regular woman, watching her husband go off to work...or soon to be husband. She knew Jack would have no problem finding a job, he was so likable that anyone would be a fool for not hiring him.

Jack smiles once more before shutting the door and going to the awaiting car.

Once the car was out of sight, Rose goes to the kitchen to look at the list. Emma left a list of instructions of Rose could do for the day and how to care for Sybil. The first suggestion was to wash the breakfast dishes. Rose remembered how Wendy and the cook in her house at Philadelphia did it.

She puts Sybil in her high chair and fills the sink with water and soap. She finds a sponge and begins to scrub the dishes. Her good mood makes her feel so happy. She stacks the dishes on a towel until she hears Sybil screech, most likely for attention. Rose is so surprised that she drops a cup on the floor, smashing it into a million pieces. The noise frightens Sybil and she begins to wail. Rose steps around the broken glass and goes to comfort the child. She removes Sybil from the area and puts her in her crib to keep her safe. The child keeps wailing until Rose distracts her with a teddy bear.