The Love that Hit and Iceberg

Chapter One

The Dawson family were seen as the epitome of the perfect family. They were picture perfect. Rose and Jack were young and attractive with three beautiful children. Not only were they attractive, they were strong and sturdy like old boots. They had met on the Titanic and had fallen hopelessly and madly in love. They had survived the ordeal together and it had cemented their love even more. They had moved back to Chippewa Falls, gotten married and had children. They lived on the old farm that Jack was raised on. Jack had a not extremely well paid, but fair job as an art teacher at the local school and Rose was an actress. It seemed like they had everything, but what they didn't know was that the flame that had once shone like a wildfire had gone out a long time ago…

Maybe I should leave him, Rose thought as she did her make up. Rose loved being an actress more than anything, but she wanted more. She wanted to move to New York or London or Paris and be in the moving pictures or she could imagine herself being on Broadway. She loved the old Chippewa Falls Theatre, but it didn't offer any major opportunities. Jack wanted to stay in Chippewa Falls, but Rose wanted out. She'd take the kids with her; maybe she could contact Molly Brown and stay with her in New York.

"Guess who?" a familiar voice said, putting his hands over Rose's eyes. Rose jumped.

"For fuck's sake Jack you scared me, what are you doing here?" Rose hissed.

"I thought I'd surprise you, I want to be there for my gal's big show," Jack said cheerfully. He was all in good spirits.

"It's hardly a big show," Rose snorted. "I want to go to New York, I want to live my dreams and fulfil bigger things."

"Come on Rose I thought we talked about this; I thought we were happy here. We've got one another and the kids, it's all we need." Jack put his strong arms around Rose's waist.

"I really want to make something of myself."

"You already are something, you're my something," Jack said.

"Please Jack leave me alone. Where are the kids anyway?" Rose said agitatedly.

"They're with my parents; I thought maybe we could spend a little alone time together, we have the whole house to ourselves."

Rose pulled away from Jack. "Look Jack, I've got to do my make up and rehearse."

"I'll rehearse with you, I'll be Lord Humphrey," Jack said putting on an over the top posh English accent, which long ago which have made Rose laugh, but now it annoyed her.

"Lady Miriam you do indeed look ravishing this evening, may I request a dance?" Jack said, reading the script in his posh voice. Rose grabbed the script out of Jack's hands.

"Quit mucking around Jack, it's not funny, it's childish!" Rose snapped.

"I can never make you happy Rose, no matter how I try! It's like nothing I ever do is good enough for you! What's wrong Rose, you can tell me?"

"Just leave me alone Jack, go and get drunk down the pub with your pathetic friends!" Rose ranted.

"I came to see your play; maybe we can do something afterwards."

"I'm going to the after party," Rose said coldly.

"I'll come too," Jack said.

"There's no need, it's kind of an actors only thing anyway." Rose felt like such a bitch, but she couldn't do this anymore. The main reason she wanted to stay behind because she knew that the New York Chronicle was coming to see the play and she knew that if they liked it, it could open doors for her. James Calvert was an actor and wrote for the New York Chronicle and she knew that he was a big name in the business. If she impressed him, maybe she could go to New York. All her dreams would finally come true. Rose had read many of James' articles; she thought he was a very talented writer and from what she had heard a very talented actor. Also from his picture in the Chronicle he was very handsome with twinkling eyes, cheekbones, dark hair and a cheeky smile that made you want to melt.

Jack didn't understand Rose's ambitions and dreams; he treated it as a joke. He thought that they were happy in their cosy little world on the farm with enough money to get by but at the same time not enough to buy the finer things. The truth was that Rose had had enough of it; she wanted something more. The children would benefit from Rose's success; she could give them more things. She could send them to the best schools, give them the best toys and give them a luxurious home if they moved to New York and Rose became successful. She loved her children; she didn't want to take them away from Jack, but she wanted them to be part of her dream. There was nine year old Josephine. Josie as they called her was a carbon copy of her father; they had the same eyes and face and she had long blonde hair. Josie was a quiet and pleasant child and definitely a daddy's girl. She loved drawing and showed a great talent for it. She loved nature and animals and had a wild imagination. She was very much like her father.

Then there was Tom, who was six. Tom was cheeky and easy-going like his father. He too looked like his father, though he had a mop of chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. Tom too liked to draw and like his older sister and father had a talent. He was also very intelligent and excelled at school, but he often liked to play up and act like the class clown. He was a little rascal but with a big heart.

Then there was Eve, but everyone called her Evie. Evie was two years old. She looked like her mother with her red hair and same facial profile. Evie was very noisy and bossy and had a temper on her already. She had such a strong character; she was as stubborn as a mule and she could scream like anything, but Rose still adored her. Rose reckoned that Evie was going to become an actress.

She adored all of her children; they were wonderful. Jack often talked about wanting another baby, but Rose wanted to focus on her dreams. She knew that having another baby would already hold her back, plus her three were a handful, especially Evie. Rose was lucky that Jack's parents helped out a lot and were willing to look after the children so Jack and Rose could spend time together and for them to pursue their hobbies and interests.

"Fine I'll leave then," Jack said sulkily. "All I try is support you and you knock me down, well fuck you." Jack angrily threw the lamp across the room and stormed out. Rose hated Jack's temper; he had never hit her but when he was angry he threw stuff. He slammed the door behind him. He was probably going to the pub to get drunk. Rose didn't care, tonight was her moment to shine.