Mr and Mrs Kennedy

Chapter 1

19th May 1994

Jackie Kennedy’s Apartment

New York

Jackie lay in her bed surrounded by Caroline, John, Ethel and Maurice. John was holding her hand on the verge of tears. “I love you mum.”

“Don’t cry for me, I’m going to be with your father now.” Jackie said weakly. Caroline struggled to hide her tears. “I love you mum.”

Jackie smiled softly and held both their hands. She closed her eyes slowly.

After a few minutes John and Caroline gently let go of their mother’s hand and exited the room.

“Oh John I can’t believe she’s gone.” Caroline said as she hugged her younger brother.

“I know but just think she’s going to be with Dad.”

Caroline cried as the memories of her mother in her bloody pink suit came coming back to her. She buried her head into John’s chest. They were standing hugging when Ethel and Maurice entered the living room, closing the door to Jackie’s bedroom where her body lay.

“Oh Caroline, John it’s going to be okay.” Ethel said as they hugged her. Both the former first children nodded.

An hour later

John and Caroline were sitting on the sofa talking to Ethel and Maurice. “I’m going to get a drink.” John said before heading through to the kitchen.

John sighed as he got a glass out of the cupboard. “John?” He turned to find Maurice standing. “John I know I’m not your father or even close to it, but Jackie loved you with all her heart and I care for you deeply I want to help you.”

John broke down in tears and hugged him. “You may not be my father but you’re definitely more a father to me than Ari ever was. I still want you to be part of my life.”

Back in the living room Ethel and Caroline were talking. “Oh Aunt Ethel I don’t know how I’m going to cope, mother always had the answers to everything.” Caroline said becoming choked up.

Ethel gently rubbed her back. “Caroline don’t worry, you’re your mothers daughter, you’re exactly like her. Just think she had to deal with her husband dying in her arms, they’ve been reunited now. She was a support to all of us during the remainder of her life and now it’s her turn to be happy again with Jack.”

Caroline nodded. “Your right.”

The two women smiled at each other knowing the tragedy they’d both endured during their lives.

20th May 1994

John emerged from his mother’s apartment building to a large crowd of press. He took a deep breath before beginning to speak. “My mother died surrounded by her friends and her family and her books, and the people and the things that she loved. She did it in her own way, and on her own terms, and we all feel lucky for that.”

After making the announcement he went back up to where he’d grew up. This would no longer be his childhood home. As he went into the living room he found Caroline wrapped in Ed’s arms. He quickly slipped past them and into his old room. He walked over to his dresser and picked up the picture of him and his father that appeared in Look the week following his father’s death. He slowly ran his finger over it as his tears hit the frame. “I love you Dad…..take good care of Mum for me.”