I'm there, right by your side

33 - Bed Bound

(10th June 1901)

Katherine laid in bed. She'd had quite a rough pregnancy and was told she had to be completely bed bound for the last 2 months. She was now 8 months along with just a few weeks left to go. Jack came home from work and as always went straight to her side. "Hey Ace. Hi Angel." He said kissing her belly, then her forehead, then her lips. Katherine loved the mini routine. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. No better than I was before, no worse. But as usual, it's nice to have you home again."

"It's nice to be home. I miss you not being at work. I know I didn't spend all my time with you when working, but I was still around you."

"I know what you mean Jack." She said resting her head on his chest. "Actually today was a good day. Mother and Lu came over with little presents for us and the baby. I haven't seen any of it yet beside one thing Lu got me, that she was determined for me to open while she was there. The box is at the end of the bed." She said moving so he could get up. He picked up the box and helped his fiancé sit upright. "Okay. So this is the thing from Lucille." She said opening up the little blanket. "It's so precious, she's been learning how to sew recently and wanted to make this for the baby. Mother helped do most of it with her machine, but Lu chose all the colours and patterns from the box of scrap fabrics they had at home."

"It's so cute. Little angel is going to love it." Jack smiled. They then kept going and saw loads of cute gender neutral outfits, a few teddy's, some supplies to help them once the baby was here and then also a variety of snacks. Finally there was a letter.

'Darling Katherine and Jack,
We can't believe there's only a few weeks until the littlest member of the family arrives. We are so proud of you both and we are sending you lots of hugs and kisses. Please enjoy this box full of things to help you in your first month or so of being parents. We know you've not been able to go out and shop yourselves given you're stuck in bed, so we decided to help you out a little. If you ever need anything don't hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes, Mother and Father (Edith and Joseph)'

There was also a little scribble that was some what legible as 'Lucille' at the bottom followed by Herbert signing his name.

"This is so amazing. I will be sure to thank your father tomorrow morning when I see him." He said softly.

"Thanks." She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're here." She said softly.

"Right by your side as always." He said.

"I was scared you were going to leave me." She admitted.

"Why would I leave you? I love you Katherine. More than anything."

"Because of the baby. We're still young, and I was worried you wouldn't want to be a father so you'd leave me so you didn't have that responsibility. Mother told me I was very lucky that you stayed. Apparently most boys who get a girl pregnant when they are still young end up leaving, making the mother care for the child alone. That's why there are so many single mothers around and so many orphans, because a lot of the time the mothers can't care for the child alone so their only option is to send them to an orphanage."

"I'd never leave you, and I really want to be a father."

"I know that now. I just didn't know that when I was at the doctors and found out. I was scared I'd tell you and you'd leave then."

"Even if I didn't want to be a father, I couldn't leave you because of a pregnancy. It takes two people to conceive a child, if this one was a mistake, which they are not, it would be both of our responsibilities to figure out whats best for us and the baby. But either way, that doesn't matter. Because I want to have a baby. I want you to be their mother, me to be their father. And I want you to know I love you both more than words can describe."

"I love you too Jack." She whispered as her hands rubbed her belly. Jack placed his hand over hers and smiled.

"Have you had any thoughts on names for our baby yet?" Jack asked.

"Not really. I feel like I want to meet our angel before I pick a name. Also I don't want to become too attached to a boys name and for it to be a girl, or the other way around."

"That's okay. I've had a few ideas. But if you want to wait until the baby is born, I'm more than happy to wait too." Katherine nodded and closed her eyes. She could picture her sat on the end of the bed by her dresser, a little girl, about three, on the seat, the two of them talking about how she'd met Jack as she brushed her hair. She then heard giggles. A young boy, 4 or 5 years old running into the room being chased by Jack. She smiled at the sight. That was her perfect family. Their son having hazel eyes like her but dark hair like Jack, and their daughter having Jack's sparkling blue eyes and light brown hair that had a little curl to it but not much. Jack tickled him as they both giggled on their bed.

"Jack I can see them." She said opening her eyes.

"Them?" He said concerned.

"It must be 5 years into the future. I'm sat on the edge of the bed, a beautiful little girl with your blue eyes and my hair, sitting on the seat. I'm brushing her hair. She was about 3, we were talking about how we met. And then there was giggling. A 4 or 5 year old boy ran in as you chased him. You tackled him onto the bed, tickling him. He had my hazel eyes but other than that looked just like you. Short dark hair, that smirk you always have on your face. It felt perfect."

"I bet it was." He smiled, holding her close. "I'd love to have both a boy and a girl with you."

"Me too. That's the future I want right there. I could see it all so clearly. It was perfect." She smiled. Jack smiled too and kissed her cheek.