Chapter 8
After Rose had left, Jack attempted to get a couple more hours of shuteye but to no avail. He was really hoping he hadn't frightened her too much by his sudden proposal but he was serious about marrying her. Maybe it was impulsive, maybe he was crazy but she was bright and funny and warm, not to mention gorgeous and he was tired of playing the field. His family loved her and he had no doubt in his mind that he could grow to love her just as well if not more.
Coming out of the small ensuite after freshening up a bit, he looked up to see John entering the room.
"Hey bro!" he glanced past him. "Where's everybody else?"
"They're on their way." John tucked his hands in his pockets. "You're looking better."
"I'm feeling better." Jack added with a grin. "So how've you been?"
"Good." John nodded, glancing around the room. "I'm finishing up my dissertation, so I'll have my PhD soon."
"That's great man." Jack's grin widened. "Congratulations."
"Thanks. Oh, I almost forgot I brought you something." Reaching down into his messenger bag, John pulled out a small red rectangular package and tossed it to him. "I had had them shipped from the US for you for Christmas. Thought I should give them to you before mum gets here and tries to confiscate them."
Jack gasped softly. "You didn't." His eyes lit up in boyish glee as he looked down at the package of twizzlers in his hands. "Oh, ho, ho. You are the best!" Hopping back onto the bed he tore open the package and removed one of the red licorice twists, taking a bite and humming to himself in delight.
John moved over to the chair beside the bed and took a seat, setting his bag on the floor. Looking back up at his brother he shook his head, his lips twitching in amusement. "Okay, I'm starting to regret giving that to you now." he said watching Jack kicking his heels together happily beneath the blanket as he enjoyed his candy. "It's apparently giving you a sugar high. The next thing you know you'll be bursting into song."
"You know, I feel like I could." Jack admitted. "Ever since I woke up I've just felt… I don't know. It's like I've been reborn, like I've been given a second chance at life. And I owe it all to Rose. You know, she came to see me this morning."
John leaned back in the chair, folding his arms across his chest and looked down at the floor. "Did she?"
"Yeah." Jack glanced over at him. "You've met her right?" he asked and John nodded. "Well, what do you think of her?"
John swallowed roughly and shrugged. "She's great. She's amazing." he paused, his eyes softening as he pictured her in his mind. "She's adventurous and strong, passionate and beautiful. She's got a smile that could outshine the sun and her laughter is extremely infectious. She's not afraid to say what she thinks or how she feels or to stand up for what she thinks is right. But above all, she just makes you want to be a better man."
The color drained from his face as he suddenly realized just how much he had admitted out loud with his inadvertent and heartfelt confession. Cursing his unstoppable gob inwardly, he slowly lifted his eyes to see Jack staring at him with that same look of discernment that Donna had been giving him on and off all week.
Clearing his throat, John quickly averted his eyes and began rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway um, I think she's brilliant and the whole family loves her so I'm sure you guys will be great together."
Jack smiled knowingly at his brother's trademark tell. "So then you would be on board with the fact that I re-proposed this morning?"
"You re-proposed!" Jack missed John's reaction as both men turned to see Sylvia enter the room, followed by Geoff, Wilf and Donna. "That is so romantic." She stopped short, staring down at the package in Jack's hand. "What are you eating?"
"Um." Jack glanced over at John guiltily.
"Was that cleared by the doctors?" She placed her hands on her hips and looked pointedly between them and John ducked his head to hide his grin.
"Give it here." she demanded, holding out her hand.
Jack drew the package of candy closer to his chest in protest so she stepped up to the bed and snatched it from his hands.
"Aww mum!"
-oOo-
"Maybe I should get a cat." Rose mused aloud.
Mickey snorted. "Why? Am I suddenly not interestin' enough to talk to?"
After leaving the hospital Rose had called Mickey up, telling him she needed to talk and now they were both sitting on the couch in her flat drinking a beer as she tried to comprehend how her life had gotten so crazy.
Rose released a soft giggle that quickly transformed into a groan as she rolled onto her side to face him. "Tell me what to do."
Mickey blew out a breath. "I dunno babe. I'm still tryin' to wrap my head around the fact that he actually asked you to marry him."
"Yeah," she agreed. "I wasn't exactly expectin' that."
"Well, do you want to marry Jack?" he asked, mirroring her pose.
"You know; if you had asked me that like a week ago I might have said yes but now…"
"But now there's John." Mickey finished for her.
Rose nodded. "I was so sure that once Jack was awake I'd be able to straighten this whole mess out and if I was lucky, maybe I might be able to make a go of it with John but every day things jus' seem to get more and more complicated." She thumped her head back against the cushion and tilted her face towards him. "By the way, M' sorry about the party. We didn't ruin the proposal did we?"
"Nope. It went off exactly as planned. If anything we managed to steal your thunder since everyone stopped talking about you and started focusing on us instead." he grinned cheekily. "You're welcome."
Rose laughed, playfully slapping him in the arm when suddenly there was a knock at the door. The pair shared a perplexed look and then Rose stood up and made her way over to the door. Leaning in to look through the peep hole, she sucked in a breath and quickly stepped back again.
"S' John." she mouthed back at him.
"Well go on." Mickey encouraged.
Smoothing down her shirt and running a hand through her hair, Rose took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Hi." John said softly.
"Hello." she replied, offering a timid smile.
Noticing Mickey sitting on the couch, John lifted his hand in greeting to the younger man who waved back.
"I'm uh, sorry about the party."
Mickey shook his head. "It's all good mate."
John looked at Rose for confirmation and she nodded giving him another smile.
"Okay, well um," he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just stopped by because Jack mentioned he had re-proposed to you this morning."
Rose's face paled. "He did?"
"Yeah, and well I just wanted to congratulate you again so I brought you a little something. A wedding present of sorts." He pulled a large square shaped package from his messenger bag and handed it to her.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to." he nodded towards the package. "Open it."
Grasping hold of the top corner, she slowly peeled back the paper to reveal a large hardbound book. Once it had been completely unwrapped, she opened it to find page after page of some of the most beautiful scenic photos along with a complete history and a guide for how to find the places where they were taken.
Rose swallowed hard as she closed the book and ran her hand over the cover. "S' a history of Barcelona." she murmured.
John nodded, tugging lightly on his ear. "We got a shipment of books in this morning at the shop and I saw it and thought of you. I remembered you saying you'd like to go there someday."
Clutching the book to her chest she looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you." she said softly. "I love it."
Nodding again he gave her a brief smile. "Well, I better go. I've got a few more things to drop off so…" he turned to leave and Rose tossed a quick glance back at Mickey who nodded and she stepped outside the door and pulled it shut calling out to him as she chased him down the walkway.
"John wait."
Turning back to her, he met her eyes as she stepped in front of him. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't even know where to begin. So she settled on the one question she desperately needed an answer to. She had to know once and for all if he felt the same.
"S' there any reason you can give me for why I shouldn't be marryin' Jack?"
John swallowed roughly, adam's apple bobbing in his throat as he stared back at her. His lips parted slightly and there was such a deep desperation and longing in his eyes that she was almost taken aback by the intensity. But then he blinked and it was gone, replaced once more by that emotionless mask he always hid behind whenever things started getting too personal.
"No." he smiled bitterly. "I think the two of you are going to be very happy together." Gritting his teeth he spun away from her and headed for the stairs. On the way down, he drove his fist into the wall and she flinched at the sound and the soft curse that followed.
Unable to hold back the tears any longer she turned and ran back to her flat, quickly letting herself inside and slumping up against the door. In an instant Mickey was up from the couch and pulling her into his arms in an attempt to soothe her.
"What happened?" he asked, rocking her gently as her sobs grew louder.
"He didn't want me."
-oOo-
Rose wasn't particularly looking forward to the visit with Jack today. Although he was scheduled to be released in a few days, once Sylvia heard the news about him re-proposing she had been adamant about starting the wedding plans as soon as possible. In light of everything that had happened, she reminded them that life was too short and there was no point in putting things off any longer.
When she walked into the hospital room, Geoff and Wilf were playing a game of chess in the corner while Donna and Sylvia poured over a stack of bridal magazines. To her left, Jack was propped up in bed talking to John who was slumped down in the chair beside him, arms crossed and brooding.
"Rose!" The other two women squealed in delight as she made her way towards them and John immediately leapt to his feet, smiling and running a hand through his hair nervously.
Jack shook his head, tossing him an amused look and then gave Rose a wink, who waved back at both men in greeting. After saying hello to Geoff and Wilf, Donna dragged her over to the table to show her various layouts of dresses, cakes, and decorations they had bookmarked.
"Now this is just lovely." Sylvia commented, pointing to a bridesmaid dress.
"Just make sure you're careful when you pick the colors though." Donna laughed. "I know the bride is supposed to be the focus of attention but just remember this," she pointed to her hair. "Doesn't go with everything."
"What is the meaning of this Jack?" Their laughter died out as they all looked up to see a beautiful, well-dressed blonde step into the room followed by an older man with greying hair in a suit.
"Jeanne?" Jack spoke up and Rose's face paled, a led weight settling in the pit of her stomach.
Glancing over at Jack she could tell that he seemed to be in a similar state of distress.
"Davros." Jack then addressed the older man.
"Jack." The man returned curtly.
"Jack, do you know these people?" Sylvia asked looking between the newcomers and her son.
"I'm his fiancé." Jeanne spat at her. "And I demand to know what's going on."
"His fiancé?" Sylvia looked taken aback and Rose took a breath, steeling herself for the barrage of questions but they surprised her by turning on Jack instead.
"What the hell Jack?" John growled.
Jack held up his hands placatingly. "Woah, now hold on there."
"How could you do this to Rose?" Sylvia asked incredulous.
"Who the hell is Rose?" Jeanne's eyes narrowed as her gaze locked onto the other blonde, who shifted uncomfortably. "Oh you're kidding right? Lowering your standards quite a bit aren't you Jack?" she asked looking Rose up and down disdainfully. "I know I was gone a while, but picking up some classless Chav for a quick tumble…"
"Oi lady!" Donna cut in. "You better shut your mouth or I'll do it for you."
"How dare you talk to me like that?" Jeanne sneered. "Do you know who I am?"
"Yeah, a bitch." Donna shot back.
"Okay, I need everyone to calm down" Tosh said coming into the room.
"She started it." Donna pointed an accusing finger at Jeanne. "Coming in here and upsetting our family by claiming to be Jack's fiancé."
"I am his fiancé." Jeanne snapped.
"No she's not." Jack sing-songed.
"Jack, darling how can you say that?"
"Oh uh, 'cause it's true."
"Look Jeanne," Geoff cut in. "I'm not exactly sure what the problem is but you clearly seem to be confused." he stepped forward, placing his hands on Rose's shoulders and she tried not to flinch. "This is my son's fiancé and as it is apparent that you are upsetting him as well as the rest of the family, I think you should leave."
"I'm not leaving till I get some answers." Jeanne stamped her foot. "Jack and I have been dating for a while now, and my father can confirm it." She gestured towards Davros who, clearly disgusted by that fact, nodded in confirmation. "So there is absolutely no way that that cow is engaged to him."
John caught Donna around the waist as she darted forward shouting out a colorful vocabulary at the other woman while Jeanne herself, who was now being restrained by Tosh and her father began yelling insults in French. Meanwhile Wilf had joined Jack next to the bed, covering his mouth in alarm as the arguing grew louder until finally Rose couldn't take it anymore.
"Stop!" she shouted. "Everyone please stop. I have somethin' to say." When the noise finally died down she dared a look at Jack, smiling sadly. "M' sorry Jack I can't do this anymore." He nodded in understanding and she turned back to the rest of the family and took a deep breath. "Jack and I aren't engaged."
"What?" Sylvia asked, dumbfounded.
"If you broke up with her for this French hussy, so help me..." Donna turned an accusing eye on Jack who held up his hands in defense once more.
"No, no. S' not like that." Rose told her. "Okay so, the night he was pushed onto the tracks and I came in with him there was a lot of confusion and…" she paused, glancing over at Tosh who smiled reassuringly. "Somehow someone had mistaken me for his fiancé but the truth is Jack and I were never engaged." she rushed out and Jeanne smiled in satisfaction.
Rose caught John's eyes, a mixture of relief and shock warring within them and he ran an unsettled hand through his hair. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.
"I was afraid you'd hate me." she admitted, her lower lip trembling as the tears began to well in her eyes. "I was afraid you would all hate me. I've been on my own for such a long time but bein' with you guys, bein' a part of your family this last week gave me back somethin' I hadn't had since I lost my mum and I jus' didn't want to give it up. S' selfish I know, but the truth is that you all mean the world to me and I love each and every one of you so very much. I went from havin' no one to bein' a fiancé," she glanced over at Jack who smiled and then began to address each of the rest of the family members in turn. "A granddaughter, a daughter and a sister." Unable to look at John for any of those titles her gaze finally settled on Donna, who like her mother and grandfather had tears streaming down her face. "And I know that doesn't change the fact that I lied to you and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I will never, ever forget you all and I will cherish the memories that you've given me for the rest of my life."
The room was quiet for a few moments, aside for the occasional sniffling, as everyone attempted to process her confession when Jeanne suddenly spoke up.
"Oh come on. I can't honestly believe that you're all seriously falling for this stupid chav's little act." She turned on Rose with a sneer. "She's nothing but a liar and a gold digger trying to make you feel sorry for her so you'll forget all about how she tried to get her claws into my fiancé for his money."
"Oh that is it." Donna darted forward again only to be grabbed around the waist by John once more, her feet dangling in the air as she kicked out towards Jeanne.
"Did you see that!" the blonde shouted. "She tried to attack me. Jack don't just lie there. Get up and defend me!"
Jack threw his head back against his pillow and groaned, muttering something about wishing he could go back into his coma.
As the fighting continued, drawing in the rest of the family members and a few more nurses, Rose paused lingering just inside the doorway. Her eyes met Wilf's for a moment, the heartbreaking look on his face sending a fresh batch of tears to her eyes and she waved goodbye as he blew her a kiss. Unable to help herself as she turned to leave, she glanced back at John who was still struggling to hold onto Donna and found him looking back at her, his dark eyes filled with anguish but then he looked away. Taking in a shuddering breath, she nodded to herself and disappeared through the door.
-oOo-
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Mickey asked as he sealed up another box and stacked it on the growing pile.
"It's what I need to do." Rose amended. "I don't want to work in a shop for the rest of my life. I want to get out there and travel, see the world."
She looked around the flat that had been her home for the last twenty-five years. It wasn't an easy decision to leave. She had grown up here and these walls held all the memories of her childhood and the time she spent with her mother. But she also knew she couldn't continue to dwell on the past. She had to move on. Her mother would have wanted that. With all the overtime, holiday pay and extra shifts she had covered for employees that actually had a family, she had managed to build quite a little nest egg for herself. Not only would it cover her trip but hopefully by the time she got back she'd have another job lined up and could start looking for a new place to settle down.
"And what about John?" Martha inquired gently, cutting through her thoughts. "Have you tried talking to him since…?" she trailed off and looked at her meaningfully.
Rose shook her head. "M' pretty sure he wants nothin' to do with me. He could barely look at me at the hospital." She paused, her lower lip quivering. No. She wasn't going to keep doing this. She refused to let herself break down again. Everything that had happened was her own doing and there was no going back now. She had to move on. "S' better this way." she said finally. "Clean break, fresh start."
Martha and Mickey shared a look of concern but didn't press further.
"Alright, well that's the last of the stuff from the kitchen." Mickey announced, dusting off his hands. "I'd say it's time for a break."
Rose glanced up at the clock. "Yeah, I think you're right. Besides M' supposed to be up at Henrik's in an hour for my farewell party."
Martha dropped the tape gun she had been holding and suddenly burst into tears.
"What?" Rose's eyes widened in alarm. "What is it?"
"You're really leaving." she wailed.
"Oh don't start that. I jus' managed to stop cryin'." Rose's voice wavered as the two women embraced.
"I'm sorry." Martha sniffed. "I guess it didn't really register until just now."
They clutched to one another tightly, sobbing into each other's shoulders as Mickey walked over and put his arms around both of them.
"We're really gonna miss you babe." he murmured into Rose's hair.
"M' really gonna miss you guys too."
-oOo-
Donna and Wilf were anxiously waiting for John in the driveway when he pulled up.
"Where the hell have you been?" Donna yelled as he climbed out of the van.
"I had to drop off the rest of that stuff for dad." he replied bewilderedly, pushing past her. "You knew that, I told you this afternoon."
"Why haven't you gone to see Rose?"
John stopped short, hung his head and sighed. "Donna, I already told you I don't want to talk about this."
"Well that's just too bad spaceman, 'cause we do." she gestured between herself and Wilf. "Now when are you gonna stop acting like a plonker and just admit you're in love with her?"
"What?" he turned around to look at them and Wilf nodded his agreement.
Donna rolled her eyes and tilted her head back. "Oh come on. It wasn't hard to figure out; especially with the way the two of you were always making eyes at one another." She waved her thumb towards Wilf. "Gramps knew it before I did."
"It was all that smiling you were doing." he explained. "I've never seen you light up like that before, until she came along. And from what I saw you seemed to bring it out in her as well."
John stood in contemplation for a moment but then shook his head. "Look, I get what you guys are trying to do and I know you mean well but it's… It's just complicated alright."
"It's only complicated if you make it complicated." Donna countered.
"Donna, I can't?"
"Why? She's single. You're single. Win, win."
"And what about Jack?"
"Jack?" she scoffed. "Jack's on our side. He figured it out during your talk at the hospital the other day and thinks you should give it a go too." Reaching out, she took hold of his hand. "John, they were never really engaged. You have nothing to feel guilty about."
Shaking his head again he pulled away to run both his hands through his hair and then scrubbed them down his face. "I... I just need some time to sort things out." he said, turning and heading towards the house.
"Well you better sort them out soon," Donna called after him. "'Cause she's leaving."
"What?" he squeaked, spinning back around.
"Rose. is. leaving." she repeated slowly.
"What?" he looked to Wilf for confirmation who nodded.
"It's true. We went to see her today and her friends were there packing up her flat."
"What?"
Donna rolled her eyes again. "You know repeating that phrase over and over again isn't going to change the information."
"Well, where is she now?"
"Martha said that some of her coworkers were throwing her a farewell party and then she had a few errands to run before her train leaves at seven."
Glancing down at his watch he saw it was a little after five. If he took his own car and left now he might still be able to catch her. Tossing the van keys to Donna he turned in the direction of the garage.
"Wait, what are you gonna do?" she asked.
"I'm going after her." he called back over his shoulder.
Donna turned back to her grandfather and the pair shared a self-satisfied smile when Wilf suddenly remembered something.
"John wait, you'll need this." Reaching into his pocket Wilf pulled out a small blue velvet box. "It was your grandmother's." he said jogging over to place it in John's hand.
Tightening his fingers around it, John met his eyes with sincerity and gratitude. "Thanks Gramps."
Wilf chuckled and gave him a firm pat on the back. "Go get her my boy."
-oOo-
Rose quickly made her way down the platform, dragging her new rolling suitcase behind her. She was running behind, the going away party having lasted longer than expected. All of her work friends had turned out for the get together, offering their goodbyes and well-wishes and towards the end Sarah Jane and Ianto had presented her with a brand new set of luggage as well as some additional 'spending money' for her trip. They were all sad to see her go but they understood her reasons and now Rose was ready to embark on a whole new life adventure.
The station wasn't overly crowded so Rose actually managed to find her train in record time but as the door slid open and she prepared to board she heard someone calling her name. Looking around in confusion, she took a step back and glanced in the direction of the voice to see John sprinting towards her and her eyes widened in shock.
"Rose." he breathed out coming to an abrupt stop in front of her. "Don't go."
"John," she gaped at him in surprise and confusion. "What are you…?"
He held up his hand to silence her and shook his head. "Before you say anything just listen." he panted. "I love you, Rose Tyler." Rose's breath caught in her throat and her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest as she stared back at him, not quite sure if she had heard him correctly. "I'm in love with you." he repeated, his eyes boring into hers, willing her to believe him. "We belong together. I knew it the moment I met you and I know you feel the same. And if you still want to travel we can travel. I will go anywhere you want to go as long as we're together because there's no one else I'd rather have by my side or holding my hand." He dropped to one knee, producing a small blue velvet box from his pocket and Rose gasped loudly her hand flying to her mouth as the ring was revealed. "Rose Tyler, Will you marry me?"
"Yes." she nodded fervently, tears springing to her eyes. "Yes!"
Placing the ring on her finger he leapt up and pulled her into his arms staring into her eyes with such intensity she could barely breathe. Wrapping one arm around her to keep her close, he leaned in nuzzling her nose with his own as his free hand moved to cup the back of her head and captured her lips in the most passionate kiss she had ever received in her life.
Melting into his embrace, one of her hands moved to grip the back of his neck and the other threaded through his thick chocolate locks as the kiss deepened and just as Rose felt herself being dipped backwards, loud cheers and applause erupted from the platform. They broke apart to see that they had drawn a small crowd consisting of his family members as well a handful of people who were still waiting on their trains. Geoff was smiling broadly, his arm wrapped around Sylvia who was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief and Donna was giving them a double thumbs up while Wilf blew them kisses.
Rose's cheeks flushed in embarrassment and she began to giggle, burying her face against John's shoulder as he chuckled softly in her ear. Pulling back he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb and she smiled up at him.
"I love you." she said, eyes shining with happiness.
"I love you too." he replied, leaning down to kiss her once more.
