Love for a Lifetime

Chapter 108

     Josie came into their room early in the morning, "Mama," Josie whispered.

    "Hi, baby, come on," Jackie picked up the blankets and Josie snuck under them. Jackie held her and Jack woke from the mild commotion.

    "What's going on?" Jack asked groggily.

   "Our baby came to snuggle," Jackie said playing with Josie's blonde Shirley Temple curls.

   "Put her in between us," Jack requested.

   "Josie, crawl into the middle, baby." Josie crawled over top of Jack while Jackie grunted, "Oh my word," she said as Josie's elbow dug into her rib.

    Jack giggled as Josie snuggled in between them elbowing Jackie all the while. She was in between them asleep until they both decided to get up around nine in the morning. They left her to sleep a few minutes longer.

   "I miss her being a baby," Jack said quietly as they crept out of their room.

   "I do too," Jackie said in a melancholy voice, "I miss all of them being babies. Golly, we could be grandparents within a decade."

   "Don't remind me," he chuckled. They went down to the kitchen to get coffee and found Harrison and Anna sitting at the table, "Hey, kids," Jack said.

    "Good morning," Anna said cheerily, "And we talked," she nodded at Jackie and smiled.

   Jackie sat down next to Harrison putting Jack next to Anna, "Anna, I told Jack that you two might both find some comfort in speaking to each other."

   "I would love to chat with you, Mr... I mean, Jack."

   He grinned, "Of course, why don't you join me today for my afternoon stroll?"

Later that day, jack went for a stroll with Anna. When the two returned, Jackie was on the floor playing with Patrick and Josie. Caroline, Arabella and John were reading. Harrison was watching television. "Hey, there," Jackie smiled, "How are you two?"

"Good! I think we both had an enjoyable time," Anna smiled.

"I sure did!" Jack agreed.

Harrison smiled at his mother. Her soft face grinned back at him. They both knew that Anna would be sticking around.

That night when Jack crawled into bed, he was determined to talk to Jackie about something. He had tried to bring it up in conversation the night before, but had failed miserably. He needed this redemption and he wanted so badly for it to happen.

"Hey, Kid, I need to talk to you about something really quick. I guess it's not quick. It's important and I really need to talk to you about it."

"Something wrong, Bunny?" She asked crawling into bed.

"Have you passed childbearing years, Jackie?"

She blushed, "I mean I'm forty-four, but no not biologically. Bunny, what's this all about?"

"Before my surgery, I made the decision to have some of my... you know... frozen. It's some weird bullshit they do now. They called yesterday and it's only viable for so long and... well..."

"You want me to be artificially inseminated?" Jackie asked matter of factly.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to. I mean obviously we can't..." Jack was flustered, "Oh hell, forget I said anything. Goodnight-"

"Not so fast, Kennedy. You brought it up for a reason. Let's talk about it. I'm not opposed to the idea. I'm just surprised that's all."

"Really?" Jack asked, "You'd actually consider it?"

"Absolutely! I mean if it would make you happy then I would be happy too. One of the best things I've done in this world is give you children. And we have produced the most beautiful Kennedy babies if I do say so myself," she cheekily grinned.

"I don't know. I would be fifty seven when the baby would be born and you'd be forty five. There is Josie and she's so much younger than the rest. It might be nice to-"

Jackie grabbed his hand, "Let's do it."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, I mean... It doesn't always work and we really only have one shot. So I say we throw all caution to the wind and go for it. If it's meant to be, it will happen."

Jack kissed her, "You're unbelievable, Jackie."

Soon enough, Harrison and Anna were returned to school. After they had returned, Jackie began preparing to carry Jack's and her last child. The first step was to see her doctor to make sure everything was still in working order and that this process was feasible.

Jackie explained everything to her doctor. The doctor had been with her through Harrison's birth all the way to Josie. She trusted him like a member of the family. So she explained the cancer and why they were going to do this.

He replied, "Mrs. Kennedy, everything is completely healthy, however, the odds of you becoming pregnant by this manner are extremely low for your age."

"Well, we figure if it's meant to be it will be."

"Okay, I want this to happen for you. I really do. So I'm going to put you on some fertility medication and we're going to give you an injection. Let me look when your last cycle was... Alright, in one week, we need to get you in here to do the procedure."

"Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Jackie," he smiled, "I never thought I'd get to deliver another one of your babies after Patrick, but here we are again."

Jackie laughed, "I guess so."

She returned home fairly anxious to get started. Although it had been Jack's idea, she had warmed up to it fairly quickly. This little one would be their miracle.

The week passed quickly and Jackie found herself back in her Doctor's office. Jack had come with her this time.

"Mr. President, always a pleasure," the Doctor said shaking Jack's hand.

Jackie was in a hospital gown readily awaiting the procedure. Jack held her hand through the mild discomfort and then drove them home. Now it was a waiting game. Unfortunately both of them despised waiting.