A/N: Ilma: You're welcome, I really love your stories and thank you for the review
Moment For Life: Thank you for your review:) I also love your stories and how you portray Jack and Rose.
I'd also like to say thank you for the fav and follows and to everyone else who is reading this story:))
Chapter 2: New York in April Part 1
The evening that the Carpathia pulled into New York, it was pouring down raining. Rose had decided to go out and check the passenger list for Jack, who was worried about his friends. He wanted to come out himself, but seeing that it was raining, she wanted him to stay inside as long as possible, so she decided to go check instead.
Sadly, Fabrizio and Tommy's names weren't on the list of survivors. Standing in the pouring rain, watching the ship pass the statue of liberty, Rose wondered how she was going to break the news to Jack. He was going to be devastated. She shivered, remembering the blond girl hanging from the railing of Titanic as it was going down. She had been the girl that was dancing with Fabrizio at the steerage party. Now they were together at least…just like she was with Jack…
"Name Miss?" An officer inquired as he walked pass, a clipboard and pen in hand
Rose looked at the officer, considering the answer to the question. Should she give him her real name? If she did that, there was a chance that Cal and her mother would find her, track her down and force her to return to the life she had just fled from. No. Rose Dewitt Bukater was dead. She had gone down with the Titanic. There was only one name she could give…only one name that would give her the freedom that she craved…that would let her be with the man she loved…
"Dawson. Rose Dawson…"
The officer just nodded his head and moved on. Rose went back to staring at the statue of liberty. The statue meant so much to people. It meant freedom and a new life…it symbolized a new beginning. When she had first left the states, the statue hadn't meant anything to her back then…but now, it meant the same to her as it did to the immigrants that came to this country looking for a better life. It meant freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of a happiness that they did not have in their old lives. It symbolized a new life.
Ready to return to the infirmary with her news, Rose stuck her hand in her pocket and frowned when her fingers touched something hard. She grasped the object and pulled it out and frowned. She gasped when realized what she was holding. The heart of the ocean. She dug in the other pocket and brought out a few stacks of money that Cal had taken out of his safe, hoping to buy his way onto a lifeboat. How typical. Shaking her head, she returned the necklace and money back into the pockets of the coat and turned to return to the infirmary. Cal's cowardice had just brought her and Jack shelter for the evening when they disembarked and perhaps passage to wherever it was they were to go next. She'll have to send a thank you card to him someday…but not anytime soon.
Of course, when Rose returned and told Jack the news that Fabrizio and Tommy weren't on the survivor's list, he was devastated. He had pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his face against them and sobbed uncontrollably over the loss. All Rose could do to comfort him was wrap her arms around his trembling frame and just hold him and whisper that she was there and was never going to leave him. That Fabrizio and Tommy were no longer in pain and wouldn't want him to be so sad like this.
It was the nurse who brought an end to all the tears as she came to announce that all steerage passengers were allowed to disembark now. She gave Rose and Jack two more blankets to take with them.
"Keep these wrapped tight around him now, and I recommend that he stays indoors until he's stronger and please get indoors as soon as possible. This wet weather will do him no good," The nurse directed, her voice full of worry. "Blasted rain, it hasn't let up yet."
"Thank you," Rose thanked the kind woman, touched that she was so concerned about Jack.
"Take care you two," The nurse waved once Jack was wrapped up and ready to go. Rose had him lean on her for support since he was still weak as they left the infirmary and walked up on deck. It wasn't raining as hard as it had been earlier, but it was still coming down much to Rose's displeasure.
Rose held on tight to Jack as they disembarked the Carpathia. Despite the rain, Rose had to admit, it felt good to be on dry land again. She looked to her right and frowned as she spotted a gang of reporters stopping people, asking them about the Titanic. She really didn't want to put Jack nor herself through that. She looked to her left and was relieved to find not too many people that way.
"Come on Jack…this way," She directed.
"Where are we going?" Jack asked, feeling a bit weak on his feet.
"I don't know…"
Rose was at a loss at what to do. She was so new to this. It had always been someone else to make lodging arrangements, not her, but now…with Jack still not all the way recovered, it was all left to her and she had no idea what to do…but she had to do something. She didn't want Jack out in this weather for too long and she was also in desperate need of a bath and a real bed.
"God Almighty! Rose, is that you?! We had thought that you were dead! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!"
Rose's eyes widened when she saw who had just called out to her. Molly Brown, the woman on the ship that had helped Jack at the first class dinner on Titanic. Inwardly, she cursed at this turn of events. She had meant for everyone to think she was dead, but with Molly Brown aware of her survival…that plan seemed to be of no use now. The woman will go to her mother and Cal with the "good" news that Rose had survived after all.
"Molly…hello," She forced a smile as the older woman came up and hugged her.
"Ruth is just beside herself…and is this handsome fella Jack? Dear gracious, you're just as handsome as ever. You are a little pale though…," She gave Jack a hug as well.
Rose cleared her throat, feeling a little nervous. She had a request to make of Molly…one that she hoped that the older woman would honor. If not…well then her plan to leave her old life behind her without any trouble would be ruined. "Speaking of mother…you can't tell her that you saw me, Molly. Let her think I am dead…I'm asking you this as a friend…please…"
Molly blinked, taken back by the request. She had seen Ruth Dewitt Bukater, so devastated by the lost of her daughter, she had completely lost her voice…or any will to do anything really. To find out that Rose was alive…it'd give the woman life again. But…she had also seen how Rose had been treated by her mother and how miserable the girl had been and how happy she seemed in Jack's presence . It was apparent, to her at least, that Ruth disliked Jack and would never allow her daughter to have a happy life with him. What could she do? Ease Ruth's pain by telling her that Rose survived after all…or help Rose escape into a life of happiness with the man she loved.
After mulling over the question for a couple of minutes, Molly took a deep breath and grimly looked at Rose. "The news of your death…it's destroyed your mother. She's a shell of her former self. Are you sure that you don't want her to know that you're alive? To spare her any more pain?"
Rose nodded, looking sad yet determined. "I am sure. I love my mother…I am sorry that she's in pain…but for the past two years, I have been in pain…and she didn't care. I told her I was miserable…I told her that I didn't want to marry Cal…but the only thing she could see was his money and not the pain and unhappiness she was causing me. If you tell her that I'm alive…she'll drag me back into that world Molly. This is my one chance to escape all of that. I can't turn away from this chance…not…not even for her."
Molly nodded and took another deep breath, her decision made. "Alright. I will not tell Ruth of your survival. As far as she is concerned, her daughter died on board that ship. In the meantime, what are the two of you planning to do? Jack here looks near dead…he won't last long out here in these conditions."
Rose looked at Jack and frowned. Molly was right. Jack wasn't looking at all good. In fact, she feared a relapse if she didn't get him somewhere warm soon. "I was hoping to find a room to stay as soon as possible…"
"Where?" Molly asked, not feeling comfortable leaving Rose and Jack out in this weather without knowing that they had somewhere to go.
Rose bit her lip, feeling panic rise up in her chest. She had no idea. She didn't know New York…she had never been there before without her mother and Cal and even when she had visited, she was never allowed to really explore. The truth be told, she had no idea what she was doing and if she didn't get a clue soon, Jack would pay the price.
As if sensing her thoughts, Jack's hand squeezed hers and he gave her a small, almost reassuring smile. "It's alright…we'll think of something…"
Molly didn't know how Rose would take her offer, but she had to make it. She didn't know what it was about Jack…then again she did…he was the same size as her son…and she knew that if this had been her son…she'd want someone to make the offer…she'd want someone to make sure that he was taken care of and healthy. The mother in her just couldn't let him go. "Rose…I know you may think that I'm overstepping my bounds and maybe I am…but I can't just let you two disappear into the great unknown in this kind of weather, not in the condition that Jack is in…"
"Molly?"
"Let me put you two up in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Totally on me. I know that the Waldorf-Astoria is putting up Titanic survivors, but your mother and Cal will be there and I know you want to avoid them, so let me set you up somewhere warm, dry, and safe until Jack is well enough to travel and you both have some idea on what you're going to do next."
Rose didn't know how to respond to Molly's offer. It wasn't like she didn't have money of her own…Cal had provided that. But she didn't know where she was going, what hotel to pick, and for how long…letting Molly handle this…it'd help Jack all that much sooner and she would be able to save Cal's money for a time when it was really needed.
She didn't want to accept charity…but there was no choice. Jack needed shelter and warmth now and Molly was her only way of getting it to him immediately. "Ok…we'll take you up on that offer…"
Molly grinned in a mixture of happiness and relief. Now she didn't have to worry about Jack quite so much. "Great! Let me rustle up a taxi and we'll be on our way!"
"I hope this is a good idea," Rose sighed as Molly went to get a car.
"I think it is," Jack gave her hand a weak squeeze, not revealing that he was feeling weak again. He didn't want to worry Rose too much, but needless to say he was relieved for Molly's help and will be glad when he's somewhere dry, warm, and soft.
Fifteen minutes later, Rose, Jack, and Molly pull up in front of one of the fanciest hotels in New York City, second only to the Waldorf-Astoria. Molly was first out of the car, then Jack, then Rose. Rose wrapped an arm around Jack's waist, urging him to lean on her a little if he still felt weak. They followed Molly to the front desk, where she made all the arrangements. They were staying on the third floor, in the honeymoon suite and they would be there for the next two weeks. Molly escorted the couple up to the rooms, where Jack immediately collapsed onto the bed exhausted.
"Poor thing," Molly tutted, happy that she had got him somewhere nice, safe and warm to recover. Jack was bringing out the mother in her big time. She couldn't wait to get home and see her own son again.
"I don't know how we're ever going to repay you for your kindness, Molly. You've done so much for us and you haven't even known us for all that long," Rose couldn't express her thanks enough. She didn't even want to think about what would have happened if they hadn't ran into her outside The Carpathia.
"You can thank me by taking good care of that young man there, and by having a great life, Rosie. I know the old one hasn't been easy for you and things are bound to get harder still…but at least you're free and you have Jack. He loves you Rose and I can see in your eyes that you love him…"
"I almost lost him Molly?" Rose looked at her hands, tears fringed her voice. She had tried not to think about what would have happened if she hadn't gotten to that whistle…if Jack had been in that freezing water a moment longer.
"But you didn't…and you won't just as long as you get him out of those wet clothes and some hot soup. He's going to be just fine and so will you," Molly opened up her purse and took out a pen and paper and scribbled down her address and telephone number. She wasn't ready to say good-bye for good to the young couple just yet. "If you two are ever in Denver or need anything at all, look me up. I'll be happy to help."
"Thank you Molly, but you've done enough already…"
"Not nearly. I haven't always had money. I know what it's like to live in the lower class…to not have a roof over my head or something to eat…it's not as fun as it may have sounded at that first class dinner. You may just need the help. It never hurts to have at least one friend in first class."
"Thank you Molly," was all Rose could say, folding the paper and sticking it in the pocket of Cal's coat.
"Well, I better go and get checked in at the Wistoria. Take care Rose," Molly hugged her one last time. She looked at Jack, who seemed to be asleep at the moment and chuckled. "And give Jack a hug from me as well. You take care of each other."
"We will," Rose smiled one more time. Molly patted her cheek one last time before walking out the door, leaving Rose alone with a seemingly sleeping Jack.
Rose stood there and looked at the sleeping Jack. He looked so beautiful laying there, pale and perfect. She should get him out of those wet clothes, but where to start? His trousers? She paused at the thought of taking off his trousers. Sure they had made love in the cargo hold of Titanic, but it had been so…rushed…she really didn't get a chance to really touch him down there…or explore…
Taking a deep breath and trying to keep her composure, she began unbuttoning his trousers, then pulled them down to reveal the pale skin of his thighs…muscular and…smooth yet cool. "Oh Jack…will you ever be warm again?"
Despite the paleness, his thighs were well muscled, showing that he was very active. She then started on his shirt, unbuttoning and pushing it off his shoulders to reveal pale yet muscular arms and chest.
"Not only handsome but well built," Rose mumbled to herself, unaware that Jack had opened his eyes and heard every word.
"And awake."
Rose gasped, and her head shot up to look into a pair of laughing blue eyes. "You were awake the whole time weren't you?"
"Only woke up when you took my pants off. Was wondering what you' would do next," Jack chuckled.
"What were you expecting me to do, Mr. Dawson?" Rose asked haughtily.
"This…," He pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply, nearly taking Rose's breath away, despite his lips being cooler than they should have been. The kiss didn't last or long unfortunately, due to him still being so weak from the hypothermia.
"Jack," She panted, her desire for him building. She swallowed and worked on calming herself down, knowing that Jack needed rest. "You need to get under the covers….so we can keep you warm…"
"You can keep me warm right here," Jack chuckled, wrapping his arms around Rose, who simply rolled her eyes.
"Sadly, not as warm as you need to be and I have to call room service to order you soup," Rose forced herself to pull away from her handsome boyfriend knowing that it was for the best. She couldn't wait until he was fully healed.
"Alright, alright," Jack sighed, finishing undressing and slipping under the warm covers. "God, this bed…it's like I'm laying on a cloud…are they all like this in first class?"
"Pretty much," Rose nervously chuckled. She was starting to wonder if letting Molly set them up in such lavish surroundings was a good idea. Would Jack get used to this kind of life and want it all the time? Would it make it harder for her to descend into the lower class by not having a more modest room? She sighed and shook the thoughts out of her head. There was no need to think like that now. Whatever they get used to…however hard things get, it'll be ok, because she had Jack. As long as she had him by her side, nothing else mattered.
Jack, meanwhile, just watched Rose as she made the call to room service for the soup and went about putting his wet clothes in the restroom to dry out. He couldn't help wondering if he was doing the right thing taking her away from the world she was used to with beautiful dining halls and hotels with soft as clouds beds. Then he remembered how he had actually met her…how she was willing to kill herself in order to escape that world. His Uncle was right when he said money was more trouble than it was worth. It had made Rose miserable. Yeah, he was doing the right thing…he just hoped that once he was upon his feet again, he'd be able to take care of her…a girl like Rose…well he couldn't have her living the life he had lived with Fabrizio. Sure they could still travel, but there needed to be more security than he had …he had to have a home base…and there was only one way he knew to come by that real quick…it just was…was he ready? There was so much baggage there…could he go back and everything be ok for the people he loved, or would going back make things worse? Dare he risk it?
Retrieving the soup from the room service waiter, Rose turned to him and smiled a smile that was full of love and warmth and happiness. She was happy…and she loved him…and yeah…she was worth the risk. She was worth everything…
