Another new story… I couldn't help myself. Let me know what you think
Jack stood back and watched as Rose stared, entranced at the Statue of Liberty. He couldn't even begin to name the emotions passing through her beautiful green eyes.
He watched silently as an officer carrying an umbrella stopped beside her and asked for her name "Dawson. Rose Dawson" she replied her voice quiet but firm, she hadn't even looked at him.
Jack's draw dropped. She had taken his name. He still couldn't believe that this had happened, that this amazing girl… woman had given up a life of luxury, had risked her life more than once for him. A wandering artist with ten bucks in his pocket.
His heart clenched at the thought, where would they go? She had told him that she was prepared to live however he did but there was no way he was going to have her sleeping under bridges and on park benches.
He took a breath and stepped forward, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, so as not to startle her, she looked up at him and smiled almost shyly.
He reached up and brushed a stray strand of wet hair behind her ear "I'm sorry" she blurted looking ashamed although he couldn't figure out why "I didn't mean to just give him your name like that, I didn't even think it just seemed like the obvious thing to do" he cut her off by pressing a finger to her lips before she could go any further.
"Hey, its okay I'm not mad. I'm honoured really. I just… you made a lot of really big choices and I just want to make sure that you're okay with well with everything" he cursed himself for being so inarticulate.
She stared at him for a second and he could've sworn his heart stopped beating. This was it, this was the moment she decided she'd made a huge mistake.
"I told you I was getting off the ship with you and I meant it. Even if it is a different ship" her lips tugged upwards as she offered him a small nervous smile.
Jack let out a sigh of relief and pulled her into her arms "I love you, I love you so much"
"I love you too, Jack" she pulled away and gripped his hand in hers, turning her attention back to the Statue.
It was several moments before he heard her soft gasp of surprise, looking down to see what had caught her attention he was stunned to see she was holding The Heart of The Ocean. She stared at him her eyes wide before she threw her head back and started laughing. She laughed to the point of hysteria and there were tears pouring down her cheeks.
"Oh God, that's not funny. I'm sorry its really not that funny, I don't know why I'm laughing" she cleared her throat and sobered herself and shoved the diamond back in the coat pocket and stuck her hand in the other pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. She stared up at him in shock.
"Bastard must've trying to buy his way off the ship" she muttered sounding disgusted.
A half hour later they finally got off the ship, both breathing a sigh of relief at being at dry land. Jack pulled Rose close to his chest struggling through the crowds of hopeful family and journalists, gathered like vultures waiting for a good story.
Eventually they managed to fight they're way through the crowds and found themselves on a deserted New York side street. He glanced down at Rose his heart clenching at the sight. Her eyes were bloodshot and heavy with exhaustion and her face still hadn't regained its usual color. She looked up at him hopefully, expectantly and he swallowed.
"Well, uh I guess we should probably find somewhere to spend the night, unless you know anyone in the city…" he knew it was stupid, of course she didn't. Not anyone that would take them in after everything.
"My grand parents!" she exclaimed her face lighting up "They live in the city, I'm sure they would take us in"
Jack stared at her dubiously "Uh I wouldn't be so sure about that…"
"Oh they're my grand-parents on my father's side. They're nothing like my mother. They don't exactly get on and I haven't seen them since long before my father died"
"Well if you're sure" he responded hesitantly, pushing down the spark of hope forming within him. Despite her confidence he had yet to receive a warm welcome from her side. "Do you know where they live?"
"In a house on the uh…" she trailed off trying frantically to remember, it had been a while and she was still struggling to solidify her thoughts.
"The west side of central park! In the little house!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Okay great, lets go"
0000000
Rose pressed the doorbell and stepped back beside Jack, slipping her hand in Jack's
"Please be home. Please be home" she repeated softly bouncing on the balls of her feet both from anticipation and an attempt to ward off the cold. The torrential rain had lessened somewhat but there was still a noticeable drizzle.
She felt Jack squeeze her hand reassuringly and smiled at him, focusing her attention on the house when she heard movement from inside. A light was flicked on and she heard the key turn in the lock and the door swung open to reveal an older man in a house coat and slippers, muttering under his breath.
It took a second for Harold Bukater to recognise the haggard looking woman in front of him but when he did he could've sworn his heart stopped in his chest.
"Rose" he breathed. His beautiful granddaughter who he hadn't seen since she was ten years old was standing in front of him. Now a beautiful young woman, looking slightly the worst for wear but beautiful nonetheless.
No-one said anything for a few moments until Rose broke the silence,
"Hello, Grandfather" she offered. This seemed to snap the man out his reverie and he stepped forward and gathered her in his arms.
"Oh Rose, my beautiful Rosebud. What happened to you? What on earth are you doing here at this time of night? Where's your mother?" he asked in a rush, making Rose's head spin.
"Can we come in? I'll explain everything." This was the first time that Harold notice Jack, who was standing to the side watching the exchange nervously. Harold eyed him and Rose before nodding and leading them inside.
"Of course, of course, come in. Goodness you must be freezing!" he rubbed her arms and lead them through the double doors into a dimly lit hallway.
"Lynette! Lynette! Get down here! He called up the stairs. They stood for a moment as footsteps came down the stairs
"Harry? What in God's name are you yelling about at 3am?" It wasn't until she got to the bottom step that she noticed them. She stopped short, her hand flying to her mouth as she gasped.
"Rose? Oh my God is that you" Rose smiled and nodded, once again finding herself enveloped in a warm hug. It had been years since she had received this much affection, it was all becoming a bit overwhelming.
"My God sweetheart what on earth are you doing here? You look awful what happened?" had it come from anyone else. Namely her mother, she would've found the comment offensive but it was so filled with love and concern that it made Rose want to cry.
"Oh darling come sit, tell us what happened. Harold don't just stand there, put the kettle on for God's sake" She wrapped her arm around Rose's shoulders and began to lead her into the kitchen but stopped as she glanced over her shoulder and noticed Jack for the first time.
"Oh, dear I didn't realise there was someone else with you. I'm Lynette Bukater and this is my husband Harold" she stuck her hand out.
Thankfully, Rose noticed his unease and leapt to his aid "Grandmother, Grandfather. I'd like you to meet Jack Dawson." She tried her best to sound confident but Jack could still sense her fear. He felt it to.
"Nice to meet you" Lynette nodded leading them both into the kitchen.
"Now tell us dear. What on earth are you doing here?"
Rose inhaled "I assume you heard about the Titanic?"
"Oh yes of course, such a tragedy"
Rose could only nod as tears threatened to overwhelm her "Well, we were on it"
There was a moment of stunned silence as her grandparents stared at her in shock "Oh my God sweetheart I had no idea. What happened?"
Rose swallowed and began to tell her story, from Cal proposing to her in Boarding School in Paris, to boarding the Titanic and meeting Jack.
When she was finished, her exhaustion from before had multiplied ten fold and she had to lean against Jack for support, both physically and emotionally.
"Oh my God my poor darling. That must have been awful for you" Lynette stood up and wrapped her arms around her, gently stroking her hair "You two must be exhausted, go on upstairs and get some rest. I left your room the way you like it sweetheart"
"The purple room?" Rose asked hopefully. She had visited her grandparents a handful of times when she was younger and one of they're guests rooms was decorated in an array of lavenders and purples, Rose's favourite colour, and she absolutely loved it.
"Of course. Come on now up you go. I'll have breakfast ready for you in the morning"
When they made it up the stairs Rose collapsed on the bed, exhausted. Jack smiled softly as he slipped off her coat and shoes, placing a blanket over her shoulders before moving to make himself comfortable on the floor.
"What're you doing?" Rose asked lifting her head up
"I'm uh going to sleep."
"On the floor?"
"Well yeah…"
Rose smiled. She remembered Cal's words from the dinner on Titanic You could almost past for a gentleman. The fact was that Jack's actions over the past few days had proved that he was more of a gentleman than Cal could ever hope to be. She held her hand out and motioned for him to join her.
"Are you sure?" he still seemed hesitant and she nodded.
"Of course. I'm not about to let you sleep on the floor. Besides I want you with me" Jack smiled and lowered himself on the bed beside her, pulling her into a backwards spoon. "I love you" he whispered into her hair
"Hmm, love you too" Rose murmured before sleep finally overcame her.
Thoughts?