Author's Note: A long awaited chapter for some, I assume. I hope I did this justice…The character I have placed in this chapter is rather hard to swallow. Buckle up, hang on, and here we go.
Blessings,
Sarah.
Jack breathed raggedly as he held Rose close. He kissed the top of her sweaty forehead and laced their fingers together, enjoying her company and the steady rise and fall of her chest next to him.
"That was going to the moon," she said between breaths, holding him closer.
Jack smiled. "I'm glad it was so enjoyable for you."
For awhile Rose remained silent, holding their laced hands on her bare stomach. Jack ran his hand over his shoulder and up to her head, sending chills down her spine.
"You have artist's hands, Jack: They're rough, but loving."
Jack did nothing but continue to smile, then he pressed her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss there. In silence Jack's love spoke volumes: The way he looked at Rose, grabbed her hand, held her in such a warm embrace, and kissed her softly…He gazed at her like she was the only woman in the world, and Rose's heart soared in those moments. Rose felt him take her hair up in a tight hold, and wrap it in the elegant bun she had had it in before he had taken it down. Gently, he secured the elastic band around it and kissed the nape of her neck.
"You're so beautiful."
Rose blushed and squeezed his hand.
"What do you do to stay so gorgeous, Rose?" Jack stared deep into her eyes.
"A woman never reveals her secrets; a woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets, in fact, haven't you ever heard that?"
Jack shook his head, gazing at her longingly. "No, I haven't; not until now."
Jack leaned in then to kiss her nose softly when he heard a knock on the door. Rose jumped slightly, but relaxed against his embrace. After a moment, Jack stood and pulled on his pants. Rose jumped up and slipped the long shirt of his she had been lounging in all day over her head, and followed him to the door. Jack walked in front, but she held her arms wrapped firmly around his as he switched the lock over and opened the door.
"How can we help yo-"
"-By handing over what's rightfully mine, Dawson."
Rose gripped Jack's arm tight as she stared at Cal's face: bright red with anger, flaring nostrils, and grinding teeth.
"I'm sorry but she isn't mine to hand over; Rose is old enough to make her own decisions in this life."
Cal stepped closer to them and Rose hurried in front of Jack protectively. Cal grabbed her arm forcefully, ripping it away from where she had been holding Jack's wrist.
"Come, darling, your mother is in the car."
Rose shook her head, pulling her hand back. "No! I am going nowhere with you or my mother: I don't even consider her as such!" Rose shouted back, stepping a few feet away from Cal.
He chuckled and followed her into the house as she retreated.
"Oh, you little who-"
"-Get away from her!" Jack shouted, slipping in front of Rose and pushing Cal backwards against the doorframe. "I told you she can make her own decisions and you aren't the direction she wants to go in."
"And you are?" Cal asked, eyeing them up distastefully. "Look at her! She looks like such a mess already! This disgusting, third class, scoundrel clothing looks repulsive on her. You, though, I can't say look any different- You have always looked disgraceful!"
Jack's eyes darted between Cal and the car in the driveway dangerously, but he had no time to reply, for Rose did instead.
"You aren't wanted here," she said between ground teeth. "Leave our home, now."
Cal stared at her for a long while, before stepping closer to her and placing his hand under her chin.
"Now, Rose," he said softly. "You do know what a terrible mistake you're making, don't you? This sewer rat is your choice? I would never deny you anything, remember? As long as you wouldn't deny me."
"But I do deny you, Mr. Hockley," she glared into his eyes.
Cal smiled. "Are you sure about that?"
Rose nodded tensely, his hand that repulsed her so much still under her chin. She could tell out the side of her eye that Jack was ready to punch him, but that he had faith in Rose. She slammed her foot down then, painfully on Cal's, and though the collision hurt her bare foot, it took him by surprise. Retreating in what seemed to be pain, though he hid it, Cal shook his head.
"You're making a huge mistake, Rose, you are!"
"I could care less!" She shot back, spitting into his face.
He charged after her, pushing himself towards her by the doorframe, and Jack bounded after him as he tackled her onto the couch.
"Get off her!" Jack hollered, punching him painfully in the stomach.
Cal turned on Jack then, slapping him across the face and punching hum under his jaw. Jack groaned in pain but threw a punch back that Cal narrowly avoided. Rose came up behind him, punching him in the back of the neck, and then Jack took his opportunity to shove him to the front door.
"Don't ever set foot in my home, or near Rose, again!" Jack screamed, punching him to the ground with one, final blow to the stomach.
Cal held his gut as he tried to regain his breath, and finally, rasped out: "I always win, Jack. I will win."
"Over my dead body," Jack pressed out, slamming the door against the figured hunched on his front doorstep.
He leaned against the doorframe for a long moment, not knowing what to say to Rose. When finally, he looked over his shoulder and found her walking to the couch slowly. He watched as she sat down, her limbs looked mechanical, and she seemed to be forcing herself into the sitting position. Her eyes were wide, and Jack blinked back the fury still in his eyes before moving to comfort her. Once he sat beside her, she moved calmly away, and he furrowed his eyebrows. Deciding not to move closer again, he raised a hand to wipe away the idle tear slipping down her cheek, but she flinched away.
"R-rose, what's wr-"
"-Don't touch me!"
Jack swallowed thickly. "Rose, what do you mean?"
She turned her head to him, her expression resembling that of stone. "I said don't touch me."
"Rose, it's okay, he's gone."
Confusing crossed her features, but then she relaxed. He knew it was then that he had to try again. He raised his hand slowly, and then placed it on her forehead, tracing her outline down to her ear, and pushing a bright, red curl behind it. He was glad to see she didn't flinch this time, and Jack knew that whenever Cal was around, he completely shook her thoughts and actions. Jack couldn't only hope she never became that fearful of him. Shrugging that off due to the fact he knew he would never hurt her if he could help it, he pulled her close. She gave in to his embrace and settled herself in his warm arms.
"We leave tomorrow, Rose. You won't have to see Cal again; I will always protect you."
"Never let go," she whispered against his chest.
"Never, love."
She remained silent the rest of the night then, and when Jack finally saw her eyes becoming heavy with sleep, he broke the silence.
"Come, Josephine, in my flying machine…Going up, she goes," He ran his hands through her loose hair and wiped away some more idle tears. "Up, she goes. Balance yourself like a bird on a beam…In the air, she goes."
He sang to her until he felt her form relax against him, signaling that she had given into sleep, and only then did he let his eyes shut as well.
Author's Note: Okay, everyone, I really want feedback on this chapter. I was nervous about this whole Cal thing, but I had to get him out of the picture…It would be too boring if he never appeared and let them live happily ever after…Lol. Anyways, hopefully Rose won't freakout too much about Jack's soon-to-be nasty bruises Next chapter you get to decide: Would you like to see them gathering their things, and moving, or would you like to hear Rose's thoughts on what Chippewa Falls is like, and Jack being so excited to be home/Rose meeting Jack's cousin? It's up to you all! I am so thankful for all the feedback I have gotten for this story, so I am going to start making things interactive like that…By the way, I got a crazy idea a few days ago, that I CANNOT wait to do…You guys are going to love it! Lol. I hate when I am so anxious to get to the section of a story that is such a ways away…Anywho, would you guys like to see a wedding, like for real, or them just get it down on paper? Ah, well, let me know your answers to all those open-ended, involvement in the story questions, and sorry for such a long author's note! Haha.
God Bless,
Sarah.
