Delta Dawn

Jackson

I know they say you can't go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.
Up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know, under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard.

*unedited* TIME JUMP...4 years later...

Caroline's POV

"Jackson!" Little feet patter against the cold tile floor. I feel a small hand hit against my thigh. I look down and see Jackson looking up at me. "It's time for school."

Not long after telling Maggie I was pregnant, she gave us the house and told us it was about time for her to travel. She wouldn't let us fight her on it. We had our precious baby boy, Jackson Greer. Jackson was born with a cleft palate. It was only his lip and not the roof of his mouth. Insurance wouldn't pay for the surgery so we had to set up a payment plan.

Cleft Palate runs on Greer's side of the family. Speaking of family, I haven't talked to my parents in the past four years. My dad hasn't let my mom come to see me or Jackson. I don't know why but it's kind of sad.

I pick up Jackson and grab his stuff. I'm technically supposed ot pick him up because I'm pregnant but I don't like Jackson walking to the car by himself yet. We go out to my car and I put him in. I go get in and take him to school. Today, Jackson has a field trip to the Grant plantation. So I am going to go with him for some reason. I want my baby safe. Jackson is a little on the small side. He is the shortest in his class and is really skinny.

We get out the car and I take Jackson to his teacher. I come back to my car and sit. My phone starts buzzing. I pull it out of my back pocket and answer the call.

"Hey, babe, can you bring me another shirt when you come? The Cotton Picker got oil all over me." I sigh.

"Yeah, just let me run home real quick." Always making messes.

"Thanks. I love you." I smile.

"I love you too." I hang up and go back home. I grab him a shirt and go back to the school to see Jackson's class getting on the bus. Everyone loads and they leave. I follow behind them as we pull into the driveway of the plantation.

The bus parks and so do I. I get out as they get the kids out. I walk up to them and Jackson sees me and waves. I wave back him and smile. I turn my attention to the teachers when I see my mom stand beside them. "Class, this is Mrs. Grant. She is going to show us around the plantation."

The class starts following my mom and I go back to the car and get Greer's shirt. I quickly find the class and walk beside Jackson. My mom looks at me and then looks away but then looks back. I look at Jackson as he walks behind some little girl. We come to a stop at the cotton field.

"Okay, little people, this is our cotton field. At the moment, our big machine over there is broke down. The big machine is called a cotton picker and that's where Greer works. He also works on several other things on our plantation." Greer walks up and stands beside my mom.

He still works here because it's good pay and it's what helped pay for the surgery. Greer winks at me and I smile.

"So, Greer, tell all the little people what your main job is." Greer chuckles.

Greer takes a step forward and motions for the kids to gather around him. The kids gather around him but Jackson stands at the back not even getting to see his dad.

"I sit inside that big machine over there and pick the cotton and then I wait for it to grow back to do it all over again. When I'm not working on the cotton fields, I work with the horses or I help with anything that has a motor." Jackson takes a step back and turns his head towards me. I lightly smile at him and he frowns. I walk to Jackson and pick him up so he can see over the other kids. "My job is not easy nor hard but I take it very seriously just like you should take your school work."

The kids chuckle. Jackson lays his head in the crook of my neck. "Okay, kids, let's go look at the horses." The kids follow my mom and their teachers.

Greer walks to me and kisses me then kisses Jackson on the cheek. I hand Greer his shirt and he takes it. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome." We catch up with the class and stand there as my dad shows them things in the honey barn.

My dad looks up and sees Jackson and I. He stares for a few seconds and then looks back at the kids. I start shifting my weight around as my back starts to hurt from holding Jackson. Greer leans towards me. "I can hold him if you want."

I shake my head. I set Jackson on the ground and turn him to face me. "Jackson, go learn about this place with the other kids. It'll be fun. Get to the front so you can see."

He nods and walks to the other kids. He pushes his way to the front and stands right in front of my dad. I lean up against the wall to get the pressure off my real leg. My fake leg and good leg have been doing amazing and I am so happy about that.

After going through everything on the plantation the kids sit down in the back to eat lunch. I sit with Jackson as he eats his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I didn't bring anything to eat because I usually don't eat while out and about. Jackson takes a sip of his juice and looks at me.

"Mama." I nod.

"Yes?" He frowns.

"Why doesn't anybody like me?" I frown.

"What makes you think no one likes you?" I stand up and walk to his side and squat.

"'Cause no one will play with me. They think I'm too small." I just stare at him.

"You are not too small. You will grow and you will show everyone how big and strong you are. Don't let anyone bring you down." I kiss his forehead and he smiles.

"Thanks, mom." I smile. I go back to a seat when a little boy with strawberry blonde hair comes and sits beside Jackson. The little boy smiles at Jackson and Jackson smiles back.

"What's your name?" The little boy looks at me and smiles widely.

"My name is Noel." I smile as he looks back at Jackson.

"I'm Jackson." Noel nods.

"I know. I been trying to talk to you but I didn't have the courage." I smile widely at the two.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to see my mom and dad looking at me. I stand up and scoot the chair in. I face my parents and put my hand on my growing belly.

"Yes?" I keep a blank face.

"Is that our grandbaby?" I smirk.

"Why do you care? You haven't tried to talk to us for years." She frowns.

"We are sorry, Caroline." I scoff.

"I'm sure you are." I feel a hand snake around my waist. I look up and see Greer. I look back at my parents.

"We really are. We want to be in his life and your new babies life." I roll my eyes.

"Maybe some other time." I turn away and see Noah talking to Noel as Beau talks to Jackson.

Beau and I are back on good terms. I let him come over to the house whenever he pleases along with Noah and Knox. Knox married Cricket and she completely changed. Blanche is now single and is pregnant by a guy she doesn't know. Noah and Dixie had a kid but I wasn't around anyone besides Greer during my pregnancy so I am assuming Noel is theirs.

I make my way to Beau and Jackson and smiles at them. "How much longer until you pop?"

I look at Beau. "I have a few days until I am nine months and if I don't go into labor I will be induced."

Beau nods. "Is she going to have the Cleft Palate?"

"I hope not but if she does we will do everything we can to help her." Beau smiles.

"Well, I hope everything comes out okay." I snort and roll my eyes.

"I hope she comes out okay too."