Chapter Text
Hearing the door open, Jackson jumped up, scurrying to the far corner of the bed.
“You’re not Marty…”
“No, I’m not, I’m his brother.. I came to check on yous, is all,” Matthew said as he tossed a piece of bread onto the bed. “Now, eat.” Jackson had started to scoot closer when he got a better look at the stranger's face.
“NO WAY! You are a bad man! You hurt my Mama, I saw you!” Jackson screamed before scooting back again.
“Quiet, you little urchin!” The man said before lunging at him, his hands around his neck. Jackson struggled against him before Marty and a small girl burst into the room. One pulling him off of Jackson, and the girl, who couldn’t have been much older than Jackson, sitting in front of him.
“Get the hell out of here and stay away from him,” Marty scolded his brother as he dragged him out of the room. Leonora waited until they were alone before turning to face Jackson.
“You okay, Jack?”
“My neck hurts, and I wanna go home…and I’m sad Flo’s dead, and it’s all my fault, and last time I saw her I was mean… I was also mean to my mama last night – what if she dies too?” Jackson whispered, his eyes welling up. Leonore pulled him into a hug before he could fully cry.
“It’s not your fault Marty hurt Flo. Marty hurts anyone he doesn’t like, and he said she broke the rules,” Leonore said as she smoothed his hair down.
“My throat hurts,” Jackson whispered.
“I know, don’t talk, I will take care of you, Jackson. If your papa doesn’t come save you, we will run away. I know where he keeps the keys. Flo was wrong. Your mama loves you,” Leonore whispered, hugging him gently. She was still hugging him when they heard a loud thump and lots of yelling.
“Stay quiet!” Leonore whispered before she scooted off the bed and hid in the corner. Jackson curled himself back into the ball just as the door burst open, only this time it was George.
“Jackson?!” He called out, freezing when he saw his son curled in a ball, not moving.
“Papa? Is that you?” Jackson whispered, his throat still hurting. Rushing to the bed, George gathered his son into his arms, quickly checking him over for any injuries.
“Are you hurt?” George asked, but before Jackson could answer, Leonore stepped out of the corner and answered for him.
“His throat hurts. Matthew choked him. And his leg, he can’t move it, he’s chained to the floor, sir. Do you want me to get the key?”
“Yes, please, thank you,” George replied before turning his attention back to his son.
“I am so sorry, Jackson. I am getting you out of here and bringing you home.”
“Will Mama be mad at me? I was mean to her last night. Just like I was mean to Flo father and look, she's dead..” George, following Jackson's gaze, jumped a bit at the sight of a dead woman lying on the floor, almost as if she were sleeping. Hiding Jackson's face, he promised Jackson Bertha wasn’t mad at him, and soon she would tell him herself. As he was comforting Jackson, Leenore ran back in key in hand, and she quickly undid the lock from his ankle. Once Jackson was free, George got up, scooping him into his arms. However, before leaving the room, he turned back to the girl.
“How old are you?”
“Twelve, sir.. Why…” She started to ask before he took her and led them both down the stairs to the main floor.
“You can’t just leave with them!” Marty yelled out, not moving from in front of the gun Church had pointed in his direction.
“You really think I’m going to pay you to get my son back, when you’re the one who stole him?! And not only did you take him, but you let him get hurt. I am taking my son home.”
“See Marty, I told you he wasn’t going to pay you for some street Urchin. He probably works for them under the guize of being their son. Or maybe there's another reason..” Matthew taunted.
As George whirled around on him, he took a tight of a grip on Jackson. While Oscar stepped in and took Leonore's hand, getting her closer to safety.
“Don’t listen to him, Jackson,” George said, his glare never leaving Matthews. Jackson, however, had another idea. Wriggling out of George's arms, he looked over at Matthew, then up to his dad.
“That's the man who hurt mama. That's why he hurt me.”
“You sure, buddy?”
“Oh, he’s sure that bitch she tried to fight, then she just took it.” Matthew spat out, confirming to George he in fact, had been the one to rape his wife.
“You bastard,” George yelled, pushing Jackson behind him. He pulled out a gun. Then, without another word, he pulled the trigger. The room was quiet as the bullet hit Matthew in his chest. As he fell down, George walked over to him, pointing the gun, this time at his head.
“I want my face to be the last you see,” George declared before pulling the trigger once more, this time shooting him in the head.
“Oscar, take the kids out to the carriage,” George said before turning to face Marty.
“It would seem we both can screw each other here… you kidnapped a child.. murdered a woman… and I got vengeance for my wife. I figure we can either work together or take each other down.”
“Look, I didn’t know what my brother did to your wife. He is and always has been the black sheep of the family. I also think we can come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial.”Marty quickly replied not wanting to die because of his stupid brother.
“Look, you clean up the mess here, and stay the hell away from my family. I will pay you a sum. The one I imagine you have in your head already. “
“Just what I thought you’d agree your son's life was worth,” Marty said, handing over a letter he had planned on delivering later. George took it, and, after reading, he handed it to Church.
“If you clean up here and make sure Florence gets a proper burial, I will double that. Contact my secretary in a few days. Once she is buried in the cemetery, I will clear the funds.”
“Ok, sounds like a plan. I will also make sure no one bothers your family again. You know I don’t hate Jackson, I like the kid.. Florence just lost it, thought she could be a better mother than your wife. She went a bit crazy. That being said, it was your son who walked him right in here. It would seem the monsters are closer to home than you want to believe.”
“He’s right. When we get home, pack up Larry’s stuff and have it delivered to the club. He is no longer welcome in the house.”
“And what do I say if Miss Russell asks?”
“I will tell her.. I mean, she hates me already; no reason to have you on the wrong side of her, too. And don’t you worry about my family. You will get your money,.” George said before heading out of the Haymarket and into his carriage. Picking Jackson up, he settled him on his lap next to Leonore. The driver waited until Church was in the carriage before they headed back to 61st Street.
“I will take care of these and the other thing you asked for,” Church said as they rode along. George thanked him before he noticed Lenore was holding onto Jackson's hand tightly.
“Don’t worry, you're safe now. I promise.”
“Will you find my mother? They said she died. And my dad sent me to Marty’s to work.”
“Well, you won’t have to work again. If I can’t find your mom, I will find you a home where you will be safe.”
“He keeps his promises, right, Papa? I mean, if he can’t find you a home, my mama will, she knows everyone. You can’t have my mama because I’m her special boy, her absolute favorite. It’s why Larry hates me.” George's heart half broke, half raged at the fact that Jackson had to come to terms with what Larry had done to him. Swallowing his anger, he smiled at the kids.
“Yes, I do,” George replied as they pulled up to 61st when Jackson didn’t immediately jump out.
“You ok, buddy?”
“No, Mamma's going to be so mad at me. I was mean to her dad. I told her not to touch me last night… Told her I wanted Bruce, not her.” Jackson whispered as a few tears fell.
“Oh, Jackson, your mama isn’t mad at you at all. She loves you and wants you home. You are going to go inside, let her hug you, then you tell her how sorry you are. Trust me, she is too mad at dad to be mad at you. Come on,” George said as he got himself and Jackson out of the carriage. Jackson clung to George's neck, refusing to let go until they were inside. It actually wasn’t until he heard Bertha calling for him did he wriggle out of George's arms and ran right into Bertha’s.
“Mama!” He said hoarsely. Bertha, who had been hugging him back, pulled back so she could check him over.
“You ok? Did you get hurt?” When Jackson didn’t answer and just looked down, George stepped forward.
“He has a bad neck. Someone choked him, and his ankle is a bit cut up from the lock they had on it to keep him imprisoned.” Seeing Bertha’s eyes fill with tears, Jackson reached up, cupping her cheek with his hands.
“Don’t worry, Mama, the man who hurt me also hurt you, and Papa killed him. He can’t hurt you no more.” Bertha, trying to digest what she learned, just smiled at Jackson before pulling him back into her arms.
“Oh, I am just so happy you're back home safe. Bruce, can you please have one of the footmen send for a doctor… Doctor Kirkland, I want him checked out.”
“Of course, ma’am,” Bruce said before walking over to one of the waiting men.
“Let’s get the kids inside, then we can talk properly, “ George said as he went to take Jackson's hand, but stopped when he saw Bertha’s glare. Leaving it alone, he just followed them into the drawing room. George watched as Bertha took a seat before settling Jackson on her lap.
“It seems you had a busy morning. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Well, I was awoken and they uh covered my eyes and then when I saw again.. I ..”
“Well, they put him in the room where Florence was, she was who made the bad man take Jackson. Mrs. Russell, Mr. Marty killed her, but not Jackson. He said he can’t hurt him cause he makes him money.” Leonore filled in for Jackson, who had turned and hid his face against Bertha’s chest.
“And then what happened?” Bertha coaxed Leonore to keep talking.
“Well, he was alone, and I had to leave the room, but then Mr. Marty sent food up to Jackson with Mr. Matthew. But I think he got mad because there was yelling, then we ran up and. Mr. Matthew was choking Jackson. Mr. Marty pulled him off Jackson, and I got in front to protect him. Then, uh, his papa came and saved him.”
“And then what happened?” Bertha asked.
“Well, Mr. George took us downstairs, and there was a lot of yelling, then he killed Mr. Matthew, the bad man, and we came here,” Leonore finished.
“And neither of you knows the bad man who took Jackson from his bed?” Bertha asked, watching as the kids met each other's gaze before shaking their heads no. While she had a feeling they were hiding something, she couldn’t focus on that, not when she had her boy back. As she hugged him close, she let her eyes find Georges.
“Thank you,” She mouthed before turning her attention back to their son. “Oh, I am so glad you’re home. I missed you so much,” Bertha cooed as she held him close.
“Oh, I am so glad you're home. I missed you so much,” Bertha cooed as she held him close. Jackson, who had been through too many mothers in his short life, just clung to her. Bertha hated to admit it, but she selfishly was fine with him not leaving her side.
“So George, you really don’t know who took him from our house?” Bertha asked. Oscar saw both kids look to George and jumped in.
“You know it’s been a long day, so mother, Marian, let’s go home.”
“Yes, Oscar is right, but if you need anything, Bertha, just send someone over,” Agnes said before she got up, following Oscar and Marian out. Once they were alone with their family, George got up and called for Bruce.
“Monica, could you please take Leonore and get her bathed and changed? She can use something from Jackson's wardrobe until we get to the store.” George asked. Monica nodded but looked to Bertha before moving.
“That ok with you, Bertha?” She asked, waiting until her sister nodded before she took Leonore's hand and led her over to the waiting Bruce. George waited until they were gone before turning back to his wife.
“What was that?” He asked, voice level in an attempt to not scare Jackson.
“It’s nothing, George. I know someone caring about how I feel is a novel thought,” Bertha snapped.
“I never said, but look, I brought Jackson home safe as I promised.”
“And he's traumatized, just like I am .. I told you, George, I was done. You put us all in danger. I am not going to just forget because you finally decided to do something for this family.”
“EVERYTHING I do is for this family, Bertha! I will always protect you!” George replied, his voice getting louder.
“Just go away, George, run back to your club.. “
“I am not going anywhere, my son isn’t, and I told you, Bertha–”
“STOP YELLING!” Jackson screamed, jumping off of Bertha and running right into Dr. Kirkland.
“Hey, slow down there, buddy. I heard you had a busy night,” William said as he half-hugged Jackson, taking in the atmosphere of the room.
“You know what, buddy, come on, let’s go get checked out in the other room,” William said, before he turned to a waiting Church who happily escorted them to the library, not giving Bertha or George a chance to object.
“So, can you tell me where it hurts, bud?” William asked as Jackson took a seat on one of the tables.
“My throat, the bad man choked me. And my ankle hurts where I got chained to the floor.” Jackson whispered, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Ok, let’s check you out,” William said as he got to work checking Jackson over.
____
“I don’t get why you are so ready to blame me for this! This wasn’t my fault.” George fumed as he paced around the drawing room, trying to calm down. He didn’t want to tell Bertha it had been Larry who betrayed them all. It would break her heart, and thanks to them both, it had been broken more times than he wanted to admit in the last few months. That being said, he didn’t want her to leave and take Jackson away.
“George, my trust is gone! I don’t feel safe here or anywhere, and now I am terrified someone will come and take him away. I need to be ok again, and I can’t be ok here.”
“Where will you even go? Newport?” George asked quietly.
“No, Gladys wrote, invited me, Marian and, apparently, Monica, to visit in England. Where I am going to go from there? I don’t know.”
“When will you be back?”
“I don’t know if I will be back, George. I told you I want a divorce. All this has done is make me feel unsafe in my own home.” Bertha replied quietly to drained from all the worry to fight anymore.
“You can’t just take him from me indefinitely, Bertha. I love him. I can’t explain it, but I do.”
“Actually, George, I can, and I am. Don’t fight it, just do what you do best and stay gone, that way it will be easier to just erase you from his life,” Bertha snapped her cruel words, causing George's face to fall. Hearing the drawing room open, he quickly plastered a smile on his face as Jackson ran in and over to him.
“Look, Papa, Dr. William gave me a sucker for being good when he put the medicine on my ankle.”
“Wow, look at that,” George said as he turned his back on Bertha as he scooped Jackson into his arms.
“Wanna try it?” Jackson asked as he held it towards George’s mouth. Shaking his head, George let Jackson put it in his mouth so he could have a taste.
“That is really good, we will have to get some to give to Mrs. Bruce. She can give them to you when you're good.”
“But I’m always good, Papa,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“Well then, when you're extra good,” George said just as Bertha walked over and took Jackson right out of his arms. Seeing Jackson's confused face and not wanting to upset him anymore, George let him go.
“Come on, Jackson, let’s go find Leonore and go get something to eat,” Bertha said as she carried Jackson from the room without even acknowledging Dr. Kirkland.
“I am sorry we are not at our best today. Tell me what I owe you. I appreciate you coming out. I know he’s iffy around doctors, but he trusts you.”
“No charge for today, really, he is fine there, doesn’t seem to be permanent damage to his vocal cords or neck. He will have marking that may show up as soon as tomorrow. I suggest he rests his voice until the pains are gone. As for his leg, it was a bit scratched up, but I cleaned it, put medicine on it, and wrapped it up. He should be fine in a few days. I left care instructions with the maid.”
“Thank you again. I do have a question: what if he has trouble sleeping?”
“Well, warm milk, and I think for now if he wants to stay with Bertha at night, that may help. He needs time and to feel safe. There really isn’t an easy solution.”
“I understand. Thank you again, let me see you out,” George said as he walked William to the door. And as soon as he left, Larry slunk, trying to get by unnoticed. George, who just made it to the stairs, whirled on his eldest.
“Larry, my office now!” George demanded, leaving no room for argument.
“Dad, please, I heard Jackson is back, I just want to explain..”
“Explain what? How you have no loyalty to this family? You betrayed not only me but your mother and, worst of all, Jackson. Why didn’t you come to me? Do you know what he did to them?! What he saw?!”
“Come on, he’s not even our family…” Larry tried.
“Get out!” George yelled, not caring who could hear.
“Dad…”
“Get out and don’t think of coming back until you can make this right with your mother and your brother. And as for Jackson, he is more family than you are now that you are disinherited. Get out of my sight.” George waited until Larry had left before sinking down into his chair. He had fucked it all up, and now his family was in tatters.
After trying to focus on work, anything to stop him from trying to go talk sense into Bertha, and making it all worse. Instead, he found his old trusty bottle of Laudium and took a big drink. It wasn’t long before he was calming down, and for just a little while, forgetting his mountain of problems. George wasn’t sure how much time had passed before he heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” He called out. Seeing Monica walk in, he did his best to school his features.
“How can I help you?” He asked, too tired for another fight.
“It’s more like How can I help you, George. You know I never liked you. That being said, I knew you guys were the real thing. In all that has happened, you saved her when I couldn’t. For that, I will give you a piece of advice and something no one knows, and Bertha may kill me for telling you. You have to let her go. I know she’s taking your son, but she needs this time and space to heal. I will be there with her, Marian too. My sister is strong and has always been the stronger one of us. God, you remember that time when Bertha broke up with you? Well, there was a reason, you see, my father was a bad man…”
“And he hurt her in a way no father ever should,” George finished with a true grimace crossing his face.
“She told you?” Monica asked in disbelief.
“She did. I wanted to kill him, but she convinced me that saving her was what was needed in that moment. So we left and never looked back. I worked my ass off to be the man she deserved, just to ruin everything this last year. I’ve lost her. I am not going to fight her on leaving. I took space when I needed it, it’s not fair for me to even if things are different this time.”
“Because of Jackson?” Monica added as she picked up one of his pricey decorative knick-knacks from his desk.
“Yes, she wanted to adopt him, now she wants to erase me from his life. I love him.. He loves me, she can’t just do that.” George replied.
“She won’t, but I know my sister better than anyone. She needs this time; something happened, and she needs space to work it out and heal. You aren’t the person to help her right now.”
“I am not agreeing to a divorce; I am going to fight for us and fix this.”
“Fine. I haven’t seen that fire in a while. But for now, you have to let her go.” Monica replied as she turned to leave knick knick-knack still in hand.
“Is that all?” George asked.
“Oh, actually, no. Jackson wants you. They are in your room. He refused to sleep anywhere near his room, even Bertha’s, and he swears he's only safe if you're both there.”
“Ok, I am heading up, and that thing you're holding was a gift from Larry, not Bertha,” George said as he stepped from behind his desk. He was out the door before he heard Monica reply with a small “oh” before letting it crash to the floor. Shaking his head, he just shook his head before heading up the stairs, before he headed into his bedroom. As soon as he walked in, he was greeted by Jackson, who ran to him, hugging him tightly.
“I can’t sleep, I’m worried the man will take me again.” Jackson whispered, refusing to let George go. Meeting Bertha’s eyes, he knew she needed help calming him down, and even with all that was going on between them, no words were needed in that moment. George took off his suit jacket before he scooped Jackson into his arms.
“Your mama and I will not let anything happen to you. That bad man isn’t coming back, I papa made sure of it. That said, tomorrow you, your mom and Aunt, and Miss Brook and Leonore are going on a ship that's going to take you to England. The bad guy won’t be able to find you there. And tonight I will make sure no one comes to hurt you or mama, ok?” Jackson, who was exhausted, nodded as he was already falling asleep in George's arms. George held Jackson until he was sure the boy was asleep, and only then did he settle him in the middle of the bed.
“I will sleep in one of the guest rooms..”
“Nonsense. Jackson wants you here, so stay,” Bertha said, her eyes never leaving Jackson. Nodding George didn’t even bother changing, just kicked off his shoes before taking his place on the other side of the bed.
“I know you think I am running, but I can’t feel safe here, and neither can he. You have to let us go.”
“I know, and I am sorry that I let you down. I promised you back that summer when we were just seventeen, I’d always protect you, and I failed. For that, I am truly sorry, Bertha. I know this is what is needed, so go spend time with our daughter, take all the time you need. But know I am not giving up my son or on us. We are bent, maybe a little cracked, but not broken. I am going to fight for us. We are and always have been better together.” George said as he looked over, holding back tears as his eyes met his wife's. They were sad, and he didn’t know how to fix it. He could say anything really, but he knew she wouldn’t believe him, and after the year they had he couldn’t blame her. It seemed George was just as tired as Jackson because, before he knew it he was being woken up by a crestfallen Jackson.
“I want you to come with us, Papa,” The boy said before he climbed on top of George. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he scooted him off his chest and onto his lap as he sat up.
“I know, son, and I would if it wasn’t for work. But I am going to write you all the time and come visit.”
“Will we have Christmas together as a family? I asked Mama, she only said, ‘We’ll see’. I heard her telling Aunt Monica it was your fault, but it's not, it's dumb Larry’s. I’m gonna tell her, then we can be a proper family. We don’t need him,” Jackson huffed angrily.
“Hey, remember we all talked about this, we don’t want to tell your mom about Larry’s part in all of this, it will just upset her. You need to go have fun with your mother and meet your sister. I heard she has a horse you may be able to ride. It will be fun.”
“I guess that could be fun. I just want you to.”
“I will come and visit as soon as I can, I promise,” George said.
“Ok..” Jackson finally agreed before he wrapped his arms around his neck. That is where Jackson stayed until it was time to go. He was still in George’s arms as the pair made their way to the main entranceway. George waited until the last possible second before putting Jackson down.
“Have a safe trip. Please let me know you got there safely,” George told Bertha before he crouched down, hugging Jackson once more.
“It will be fine, I will write you all the time.”
“Every day?” Jackson asked hopefully.
“I will do my best to write as often as I can,” George said, picking his words carefully. With the distance and his job, he didn’t want to promise what he wouldn’t be able to deliver. Jackson, however, was placated enough to finally let his dad go.
“Bye, Papa,” he said before taking Bertha’s outstretched hand. George stood there helplessly as he watched the rest of his heart walk out the door. He could curse the George that had taken her for granted. When it was just him and Church left standing there, George finally spoke.
“Don’t bother with dinner and take the night off. I just need to be alone,” He said before turning and walking to his office. He needed to be alone and to forget. He had just crossed the threshold of the room when his eyes fell on Jackson’s ball, one he had left only a few days prior.
Realizing he was truly alone, George wondered if this was how he had made Bertha feel; if it was, he deserved this penance and much more. Walking over to his desk, he opened his drawer and pulled out his old friend. After taking an almost double dose of Laudium, he poured some whiskey to chase it with. Then he sat back in his chair just waiting for the effects of the drugs to kick in and hopefully drown out this horrible sinking pain he was feeling. He didn’t want to live without Bertha and his family; he just didn’t know how the hell to fix it either.